Broken Arrow OK 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)
Broken Arrow, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 115,919
- Median HH Income$85,220
- Median Home Price$289,352
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+35.0%
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
Broken Arrow
115,919
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Broken Arrow
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Broken Arrow
37.0
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Foreign Born
Broken Arrow
8.2%
Broken Arrow +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Broken Arrow
68.4%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Broken Arrow
5.9%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Broken Arrow
4.6%
Broken Arrow +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Broken Arrow
11.3%
Broken Arrow +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Broken Arrow
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,919 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.0 | 36.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 5.4% | Broken Arrow + |
| White | 68.4% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 5.9% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 2.2% | Broken Arrow + |
| Hispanic | 11.3% | 5.9% | Broken Arrow + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Broken Arrow
$85,220
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Broken Arrow
$46,356
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Broken Arrow
$57,929
Broken Arrow +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Broken Arrow
4.3%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Broken Arrow
9.0%
Broken Arrow +
Charleston
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Broken Arrow
35.0%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $85,220 | $90,038 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,356 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,929 | $54,550 | Broken Arrow + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.0% | 12.0% | Broken Arrow + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.0% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Broken Arrow
$289,352
Broken Arrow +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Broken Arrow
72.6%
Broken Arrow +
Charleston
55.6%
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $289,352 | $593,739 | Broken Arrow + |
| Homeownership Rate | 72.6% | 55.6% | Broken Arrow + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
429
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Broken Arrow
2375
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 429 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2375 | 1999 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
33.7%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
10.6%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Broken Arrow
16.9%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
9.1%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
14.1%
Broken Arrow +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Broken Arrow
13.2%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.7% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.9% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 22.9% | Broken Arrow + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Broken Arrow
N/A
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | 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.)
Broken Arrow
8.8 µg/m³
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Broken Arrow
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Broken Arrow
23.3 min
Broken Arrow +
Charleston
25.4 min
| Metric | Broken Arrow, OK | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.3 min | 25.4 min | Broken Arrow + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while broken Arrow offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $289,352. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Broken Arrow. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
Compare More Cities
Broken Arrow, OK vs New York, NYBroken Arrow, OK vs Los Angeles, CABroken Arrow, OK vs Chicago, ILBroken Arrow, OK vs Houston, TXBroken Arrow, OK vs Phoenix, AZBroken Arrow, OK vs Philadelphia, PA