Charleston SC vs El Paso TX — 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%
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
El Paso
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
El Paso
39.3%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
El Paso
3.6%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
El Paso
1.5%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
El Paso
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 678,147 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.1 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 22.3% | El Paso + |
| White | 72.9% | 39.3% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 3.6% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.5% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 81.3% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
El Paso
$58,734
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
El Paso
$28,942
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
El Paso
6.2%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
El Paso
18.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
El Paso
27.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $58,734 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $28,942 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.2% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 18.4% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 27.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $235,994 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 60.2% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
El Paso
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
El Paso
2339
| Metric | Charleston, SC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
El Paso
33.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
El Paso
16.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
El Paso
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
El Paso
27.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
El Paso
12.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 33.8% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 16.4% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.2% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 27.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.5% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.2% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
El Paso
64.3°F
El Paso +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
El Paso
10.5 in
El Paso +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 64.3°F | El Paso + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 10.5 in | El Paso + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
El Paso
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | El Paso, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 25.1 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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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