Charleston SC vs Chicago IL — 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%
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Chicago
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Chicago
35.7
Chicago +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Chicago
39.1%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Chicago
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 2,707,648 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.7 | Chicago + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 20.7% | Chicago + |
| White | 72.9% | 39.1% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 28.4% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 7.1% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 29.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Chicago
$75,134
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Chicago
$48,148
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Chicago
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Chicago
16.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Chicago
43.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $75,134 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $48,148 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $68,110 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.9% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.8% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 43.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Chicago
$324,183
Chicago +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Chicago
45.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $324,183 | Chicago + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 45.5% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Chicago
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Chicago
12.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Chicago
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Chicago
13.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Chicago
19.0%
Chicago +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Chicago
11.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 32.6% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.0% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 13.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 19.0% | Chicago + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.9% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 49.2°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 37.8 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Chicago
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Chicago
36.5 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chicago, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 36.5 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while chicago offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,183. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. 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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