Charleston SC vs Durham NC — 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%
Durham, NC
North Carolina · Population: 288,465
- Median HH Income$79,234
- Median Home Price$399,509
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+55.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Durham
288,465
Durham +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Durham
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Durham
34.8
Durham +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Durham
15.3%
Durham +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Durham
44.0%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Durham
34.4%
Durham +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Durham
5.6%
Durham +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Durham
14.7%
Durham +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Durham
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 288,465 | Durham + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.8 | Durham + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 15.3% | Durham + |
| White | 72.9% | 44.0% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 34.4% | Durham + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.6% | Durham + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 14.7% | Durham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Durham
$79,234
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Durham
$47,246
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Durham
$59,120
Durham +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Durham
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Durham
12.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Durham
55.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $79,234 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $47,246 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Durham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.2% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 12.2% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 55.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Durham
$399,509
Durham +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Durham
51.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $399,509 | Durham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 51.8% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Durham
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Durham
1999
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Durham
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Durham
10.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Durham
16.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Durham
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Durham
15.6%
Durham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Durham
11.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 36.8% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.2% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.2% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.6% | Durham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.2% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Durham
57.9°F
Durham +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Durham
47.8 in
Durham +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 57.9°F | Durham + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 47.8 in | Durham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Durham
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Durham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Durham
24.3 min
Durham +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Durham, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 24.3 min | Durham + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while durham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $399,509. On public safety, Durham is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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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