Charleston SC vs Colorado Springs CO — 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%
Colorado Springs, CO
Colorado · Population: 483,099
- Median HH Income$83,198
- Median Home Price$451,202
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Colorado Springs
483,099
Colorado Springs +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Colorado Springs
35.6
Colorado Springs +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Colorado Springs
7.4%
Colorado Springs +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
72.3%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
5.8%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Colorado Springs
3.0%
Colorado Springs +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Colorado Springs
18.7%
Colorado Springs +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Colorado Springs
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 483,099 | Colorado Springs + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.6 | Colorado Springs + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 7.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| White | 72.9% | 72.3% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 5.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 18.7% | Colorado Springs + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
$83,198
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
$44,893
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Colorado Springs
$76,653
Colorado Springs +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Colorado Springs
9.3%
Colorado Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
41.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $83,198 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $44,893 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,653 | Colorado Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.5% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 9.3% | Colorado Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 41.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Colorado Springs
$451,202
Colorado Springs +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Colorado Springs
61.3%
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $451,202 | Colorado Springs + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 61.3% | Colorado Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
3234
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Colorado Springs
28.4%
Colorado Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Colorado Springs
9.0%
Colorado Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Colorado Springs
16.5%
Colorado Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Colorado Springs
11.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 28.4% | Colorado Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.0% | Colorado Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.0% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.5% | Colorado Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.0% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Colorado Springs
49.0°F
Colorado Springs +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Colorado Springs
16.5 in
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 49.0°F | Colorado Springs + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 16.5 in | Colorado Springs + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Colorado Springs
6.2 µg/m³
Colorado Springs +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Colorado Springs
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Colorado Springs + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Colorado Springs
24.1 min
Colorado Springs +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Colorado Springs, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 24.1 min | Colorado Springs + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while colorado Springs offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $451,202. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Colorado Springs. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Colorado Springs has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Colorado Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, SC vs New York, NYCharleston, SC vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, SC vs Chicago, ILCharleston, SC vs Houston, TXCharleston, SC vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, SC vs Philadelphia, PA