Charleston SC vs Columbia MO — 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%
Columbia, MO
Missouri · Population: 127,200
- Median HH Income$64,488
- Median Home Price$323,876
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+56.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Columbia
127,200
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Columbia
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Columbia
29.2
Columbia +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Columbia
8.1%
Columbia +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Columbia
74.3%
Columbia +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Columbia
12.1%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Columbia
6.1%
Columbia +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Charleston +
Columbia
4.3%
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Columbia
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 127,200 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 29.2 | Columbia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 8.1% | Columbia + |
| White | 72.9% | 74.3% | Columbia + |
| Black | 17.4% | 12.1% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.1% | Columbia + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 4.3% | Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Columbia
$64,488
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Columbia
$37,359
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Columbia
$58,527
Columbia +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Columbia
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Columbia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Columbia
56.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $64,488 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $37,359 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,527 | Columbia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.9% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 20.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 56.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Columbia
$323,876
Columbia +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Columbia
49.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $323,876 | Columbia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 49.4% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Columbia
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Columbia
2418
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Columbia
30.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Columbia
8.5%
Columbia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Columbia
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Columbia
8.4%
Columbia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Columbia
18.5%
Columbia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Columbia
12.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 30.1% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.5% | Columbia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 19.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.4% | Columbia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 18.5% | Columbia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.4% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Columbia
56.0°F
Columbia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Columbia
46.3 in
Columbia +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 56.0°F | Columbia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 46.3 in | Columbia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Columbia
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Columbia
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Columbia
18.2 min
Columbia +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Columbia, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 18.2 min | Columbia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while columbia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $323,876. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Columbia. 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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