Charleston SC vs Denver 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%
Denver, CO
Colorado · Population: 713,734
- Median HH Income$91,681
- Median Home Price$541,899
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+55.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Denver
713,734
Denver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Denver
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Denver
35.2
Denver +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Denver
13.9%
Denver +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Denver
62.9%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Denver
8.8%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Denver
3.6%
Denver +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Denver
27.9%
Denver +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Denver
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 713,734 | Denver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.2 | Denver + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 13.9% | Denver + |
| White | 72.9% | 62.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 8.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.6% | Denver + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 27.9% | Denver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Denver
$91,681
Denver +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Denver
$61,202
Denver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Denver
$76,653
Denver +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Denver
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Denver
11.2%
Denver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Denver
55.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $91,681 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $61,202 | Denver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,653 | Denver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.6% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.2% | Denver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 55.6% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Denver
$541,899
Denver +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Denver
49.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $541,899 | Denver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 49.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Denver
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Denver
3234
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Denver, 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%
Denver
21.6%
Denver +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Denver
7.1%
Denver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Denver
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Denver
13.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Charleston +
Denver
25.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Denver
10.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 21.6% | Denver + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.1% | Denver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 15.5% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 13.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 25.9% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.2% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Denver
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Denver
17.2 in
Denver +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 17.2 in | Denver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Denver
6.2 µg/m³
Denver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Denver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Denver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Denver
27.4 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Denver, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 27.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Denver leads in median household income at $91,681, while denver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $541,899. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Denver. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Denver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Denver scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.6%.
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