Charleston SC vs Elgin IL — 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%
Elgin, IL
Illinois · Population: 114,106
- Median HH Income$88,316
- Median Home Price$333,920
- Unemployment6.3%
- Bachelor's+26.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Elgin
114,106
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Elgin
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Elgin
36.3
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Elgin
26.5%
Elgin +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Elgin
45.4%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Elgin
5.2%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Elgin
6.0%
Elgin +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Elgin
48.4%
Elgin +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Elgin
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 114,106 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.3 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 26.5% | Elgin + |
| White | 72.9% | 45.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 5.2% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.0% | Elgin + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 48.4% | Elgin + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Elgin
$88,316
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Elgin
$36,037
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Elgin
$68,110
Elgin +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Elgin
6.3%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Elgin
10.4%
Elgin +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Elgin
26.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $88,316 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $36,037 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $68,110 | Elgin + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.3% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 10.4% | Elgin + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 26.0% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Elgin
$333,920
Elgin +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Elgin
71.5%
Elgin +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $333,920 | Elgin + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 71.5% | Elgin + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Elgin
344
Elgin +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Elgin
1842
Elgin +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Elgin + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Elgin + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Elgin
35.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Elgin
12.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Elgin
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Elgin
16.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Elgin
18.1%
Elgin +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Elgin
12.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 35.8% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.1% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.0% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 16.8% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 18.1% | Elgin + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.2% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Elgin
48.7°F
Elgin +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Elgin
37.8 in
Elgin +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 48.7°F | Elgin + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 37.8 in | Elgin + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Elgin
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Elgin
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Elgin
30.4 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elgin, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 30.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while elgin offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $333,920. On public safety, Elgin is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 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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