Charleston SC vs Chattanooga TN — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Chattanooga, TN
Tennessee · Population: 182,832
- Median HH Income$61,028
- Median Home Price$322,291
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Chattanooga
182,832
Chattanooga +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Chattanooga
36.6
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Chattanooga
7.7%
Chattanooga +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
58.4%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Chattanooga
28.6%
Chattanooga +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Chattanooga
2.4%
Chattanooga +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Chattanooga
9.3%
Chattanooga +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Chattanooga
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 182,832 | Chattanooga + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.6 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 7.7% | Chattanooga + |
| White | 72.9% | 58.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 28.6% | Chattanooga + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.4% | Chattanooga + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 9.3% | Chattanooga + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Chattanooga
$61,028
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Chattanooga
$40,040
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Chattanooga
$59,097
Chattanooga +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
17.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
35.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $61,028 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $40,040 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,097 | Chattanooga + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.9% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 17.6% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 35.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Chattanooga
$322,291
Chattanooga +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
53.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $322,291 | Chattanooga + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 53.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Chattanooga
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Chattanooga
2350
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Chattanooga
14.2%
Chattanooga +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Chattanooga
16.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 36.3% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.9% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 19.2% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 14.2% | Chattanooga + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 16.7% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Chattanooga
60.9°F
Chattanooga +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Charleston +
Chattanooga
52.5 in
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 60.9°F | Chattanooga + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 52.5 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Chattanooga
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Chattanooga
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Chattanooga
20.3 min
Chattanooga +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chattanooga, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 20.3 min | Chattanooga + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while chattanooga offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $322,291. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Chattanooga. 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%.
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