Chandler AZ 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)
Chandler, AZ
Arizona · Population: 278,123
- Median HH Income$103,691
- Median Home Price$524,013
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+46.8%
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
Chandler
278,123
Chandler +
Charleston
152,014
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chandler
N/A
Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Chandler
37.4
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Foreign Born
Chandler
15.4%
Chandler +
Charleston
5.4%
White
Chandler
62.6%
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Black
Chandler
5.2%
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Asian
Chandler
11.4%
Chandler +
Charleston
2.2%
Hispanic
Chandler
21.4%
Chandler +
Charleston
5.9%
Spanish at Home
Chandler
N/A
Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 278,123 | 152,014 | Chandler + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.4 | 36.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 15.4% | 5.4% | Chandler + |
| White | 62.6% | 72.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 5.2% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 11.4% | 2.2% | Chandler + |
| Hispanic | 21.4% | 5.9% | Chandler + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chandler
$103,691
Chandler +
Charleston
$90,038
Per Capita Income
Chandler
$51,746
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chandler
$59,120
Chandler +
Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Chandler
3.6%
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Chandler
7.7%
Chandler +
Charleston
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chandler
46.8%
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $103,691 | $90,038 | Chandler + |
| Per Capita Income | $51,746 | $58,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $54,550 | Chandler + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.6% | 3.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.7% | 12.0% | Chandler + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.8% | 57.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chandler
$524,013
Chandler +
Charleston
$593,739
Homeownership Rate
Chandler
65.6%
Chandler +
Charleston
55.6%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $524,013 | $593,739 | Chandler + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.6% | 55.6% | Chandler + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
450
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chandler
2150
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 398 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 1999 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
28.2%
Chandler +
Charleston
28.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.1%
Chandler +
Charleston
9.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chandler
14.1%
Chandler +
Charleston
15.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.7%
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chandler
16.7%
Chandler +
Charleston
22.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chandler
9.4%
Chandler +
Charleston
9.5%
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.2% | 28.7% | Chandler + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.1% | 9.5% | Chandler + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.1% | 15.1% | Chandler + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 8.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 22.9% | Chandler + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 9.5% | Chandler + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Charleston
65.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chandler
N/A
Charleston
51.0 in
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | 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.)
Chandler
7.1 µg/m³
Chandler +
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chandler
75.0%
Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Chandler + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chandler
26.1 min
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
| Metric | Chandler, AZ | Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.1 min | 25.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chandler leads in median household income at $103,691, while chandler offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $524,013. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Chandler. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Chandler has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chandler scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.2%.
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