Charleston SC vs Davie FL — 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%
Davie, FL
Florida · Population: 106,412
- Median HH Income$87,171
- Median Home Price$515,987
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+39.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Davie
106,412
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Davie
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Davie
37.2
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Davie
32.9%
Davie +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Davie
53.5%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Davie
8.5%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Davie
7.0%
Davie +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Davie
41.1%
Davie +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Davie
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 106,412 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.2 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 32.9% | Davie + |
| White | 72.9% | 53.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 8.5% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 7.0% | Davie + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 41.1% | Davie + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Davie
$87,171
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Davie
$43,871
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Davie
$65,328
Davie +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Davie
4.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Davie
10.9%
Davie +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Davie
39.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $87,171 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $43,871 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Davie + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 10.9% | Davie + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 39.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Davie
$515,987
Davie +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Davie
66.6%
Davie +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $515,987 | Davie + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 66.6% | Davie + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Davie
324
Davie +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Davie
1453
Davie +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Davie + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Davie + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Davie
28.0%
Davie +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Davie
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Davie
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Davie
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Davie
15.9%
Davie +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Davie
11.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 28.0% | Davie + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.1% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 16.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.9% | Davie + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.1% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Davie
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Davie
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Davie
7.2 µg/m³
Davie +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Davie
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Davie + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Davie
30.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Davie, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 30.6 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while davie offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $515,987. On public safety, Davie is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Davie has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Davie scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.0%.
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