Charleston SC vs Davenport IA — 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%
Davenport, IA
Iowa · Population: 101,083
- Median HH Income$64,497
- Median Home Price$191,117
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+30.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Davenport
101,083
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Davenport
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Davenport
37.8
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Charleston +
Davenport
4.6%
White
Charleston
72.9%
Davenport
75.9%
Davenport +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Davenport
11.2%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Davenport
1.9%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Davenport
9.1%
Davenport +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Davenport
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 101,083 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.8 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 4.6% | Charleston + |
| White | 72.9% | 75.9% | Davenport + |
| Black | 17.4% | 11.2% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.9% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 9.1% | Davenport + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Davenport
$64,497
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Davenport
$36,583
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Davenport
$61,226
Davenport +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Davenport
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Davenport
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Davenport
30.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $64,497 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $36,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $61,226 | Davenport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.8% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.6% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 30.0% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Davenport
$191,117
Davenport +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Davenport
63.0%
Davenport +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $191,117 | Davenport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 63.0% | Davenport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Davenport
296
Davenport +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Davenport
1452
Davenport +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 296 | Davenport + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1452 | Davenport + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Davenport
42.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Davenport
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Davenport
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Davenport
8.2%
Davenport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Davenport
21.1%
Davenport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Davenport
16.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 42.6% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.7% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.8% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.2% | Davenport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 21.1% | Davenport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 16.2% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Davenport
49.3°F
Davenport +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Davenport
36.0 in
Davenport +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 49.3°F | Davenport + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 36.0 in | Davenport + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Davenport
10.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Davenport
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.2 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Davenport
20.4 min
Davenport +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davenport, IA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 20.4 min | Davenport + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while davenport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,117. On public safety, Davenport is safer with a violent crime rate of 296 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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