Carrollton TX 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)
Carrollton, TX
Texas · Population: 132,741
- Median HH Income$99,115
- Median Home Price$408,531
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
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
Carrollton
132,741
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Carrollton
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Carrollton
38.4
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Foreign Born
Carrollton
26.9%
Carrollton +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Carrollton
52.1%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Carrollton
9.2%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Carrollton
16.4%
Carrollton +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Carrollton
31.8%
Carrollton +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Carrollton
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,741 | 152,014 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 36.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 26.9% | 5.4% | Carrollton + |
| White | 52.1% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 9.2% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 16.4% | 2.2% | Carrollton + |
| Hispanic | 31.8% | 5.9% | Carrollton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Carrollton
$99,115
Carrollton +
Charleston
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Carrollton
$50,000
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Carrollton
$63,758
Carrollton +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Carrollton
3.2%
Carrollton +
Charleston
3.4%
Poverty Rate
Carrollton
6.9%
Carrollton +
Charleston
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Carrollton
43.3%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $99,115 | $90,038 | Carrollton + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,000 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Carrollton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.2% | 3.4% | Carrollton + |
| Poverty Rate | 6.9% | 12.0% | Carrollton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Carrollton
$408,531
Carrollton +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Carrollton
58.3%
Carrollton +
Charleston
55.6%
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $408,531 | $593,739 | Carrollton + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 55.6% | Carrollton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
442
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Carrollton
2339
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
32.2%
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
10.8%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Carrollton
15.3%
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
14.8%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
16.9%
Carrollton +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Carrollton
9.8%
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.2% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 22.9% | Carrollton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.8% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Carrollton
N/A
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | 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.)
Carrollton
9.2 µg/m³
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Carrollton
55.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Carrollton
26.2 min
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.2 min | 25.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Carrollton leads in median household income at $99,115, while carrollton offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $408,531. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Carrollton. Carrollton has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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%.
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