Charleston SC vs Chula Vista CA — 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%
Chula Vista, CA
California · Population: 8,933
- Median HH Income$104,238
- Median Home Price$849,245
- Unemployment2.2%
- Bachelor's+26.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Chula Vista
8,933
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Chula Vista
42.9
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Chula Vista
20.0%
Chula Vista +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Chula Vista
65.7%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Chula Vista
0.7%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Chula Vista
36.5%
Chula Vista +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Chula Vista
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 8,933 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 42.9 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 20.0% | Chula Vista + |
| White | 72.9% | 65.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 0.7% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 0.7% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 36.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Chula Vista
$104,238
Chula Vista +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Chula Vista
$49,562
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Chula Vista
$77,230
Chula Vista +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Chula Vista
2.2%
Chula Vista +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Chula Vista
4.5%
Chula Vista +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Chula Vista
26.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $104,238 | Chula Vista + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $49,562 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Chula Vista + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 2.2% | Chula Vista + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 4.5% | Chula Vista + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 26.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Chula Vista
$849,245
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Chula Vista
71.4%
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $849,245 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 71.4% | Chula Vista + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Chula Vista
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Chula Vista
2388
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Chula Vista
26.6%
Chula Vista +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Chula Vista
11.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Chula Vista
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Chula Vista
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Chula Vista
15.7%
Chula Vista +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Chula Vista
9.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 26.6% | Chula Vista + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.4% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.0% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.7% | Chula Vista + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.6% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Chula Vista
63.5°F
Chula Vista +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Chula Vista
9.8 in
Chula Vista +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 63.5°F | Chula Vista + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 9.8 in | Chula Vista + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Chula Vista
7.9 µg/m³
Chula Vista +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Chula Vista
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Chula Vista + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Chula Vista
26.9 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Chula Vista, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 26.9 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chula Vista leads in median household income at $104,238, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Chula Vista. Chula Vista has a lower unemployment rate at 2.2%, and Chula Vista has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chula Vista scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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