Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
Charleston
152,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
Charleston
36.1
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Boston
47.8%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Boston
21.5%
Boston +
Charleston
17.4%
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 152,014 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 36.1 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 5.4% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 21.5% | 17.4% | Boston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 2.2% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 5.9% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
Charleston
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
Charleston
$58,583
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $90,038 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $58,583 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $54,550 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $593,739 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 55.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
Charleston
1999
| Metric | Boston, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
Charleston
28.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
Charleston
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
Charleston
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
Boston +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 28.7% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 9.5% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 8.7% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 22.9% | Boston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
Boston +
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
Boston +
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Boston, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | 65.9°F | Boston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | 51.0 in | Boston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Boston, MA | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 25.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
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