Boca Raton FL vs Charleston SC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Boca Raton
98,833
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
Charleston
72.9%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
Boca Raton +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 36.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 5.4% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 72.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 2.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 5.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
Charleston
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
Charleston
$58,583
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
Charleston
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
Charleston
57.7%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $90,038 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $58,583 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $54,550 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 12.0% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 57.7% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
Boca Raton +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
Charleston
55.6%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $593,739 | Boca Raton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 55.6% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
Charleston
28.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
Charleston
15.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
Charleston
9.5%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 28.7% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 15.1% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 22.9% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 9.5% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
Charleston
25.4 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 25.4 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while boca Raton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $562,670. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
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