Charleston SC vs Escondido CA — 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%
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Escondido
107,066
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Escondido
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Escondido
38.1
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Escondido
13.7%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Escondido
0.6%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Escondido
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 107,066 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 49.7% | Escondido + |
| White | 72.9% | 13.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 0.6% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 29.3% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 65.1% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Escondido
$64,484
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Escondido
$24,356
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Escondido
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Escondido
17.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Escondido
14.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $64,484 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $24,356 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 17.2% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 14.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Escondido
$849,335
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Escondido
40.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $849,335 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 40.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Escondido
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Escondido
2388
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Escondido
11.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Escondido
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Escondido
14.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Escondido
12.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 28.1% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.3% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.0% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.1% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.2% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.2% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Escondido
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Escondido
11.1 in
Escondido +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 11.1 in | Escondido + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Escondido
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Escondido
31.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Escondido, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 31.6 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Escondido. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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