Charleston SC vs Evansville IN — 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%
Evansville, IN
Indiana · Population: 116,441
- Median HH Income$52,251
- Median Home Price$200,657
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+22.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Evansville
116,441
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Evansville
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Evansville
38.1
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Charleston +
Evansville
3.9%
White
Charleston
72.9%
Evansville
77.1%
Evansville +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Evansville
13.5%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Evansville
1.1%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Charleston +
Evansville
4.0%
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Evansville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 116,441 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 3.9% | Charleston + |
| White | 72.9% | 77.1% | Evansville + |
| Black | 17.4% | 13.5% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.1% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 4.0% | Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Evansville
$52,251
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Evansville
$31,236
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Evansville
$58,697
Evansville +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Evansville
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Evansville
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Evansville
22.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $52,251 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $31,236 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,697 | Evansville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.3% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 18.6% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 22.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Evansville
$200,657
Evansville +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Evansville
53.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $200,657 | Evansville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 53.9% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Evansville
370
Evansville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Evansville
1719
Evansville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | Evansville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | Evansville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Evansville
40.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Evansville
13.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Evansville
19.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Evansville
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Evansville
15.8%
Evansville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Evansville
18.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 40.0% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.8% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 19.7% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.8% | Evansville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 18.6% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Evansville
60.1°F
Evansville +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Evansville
46.8 in
Evansville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 60.1°F | Evansville + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 46.8 in | Evansville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Evansville
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Evansville
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Evansville
20.2 min
Evansville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Evansville, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 20.2 min | Evansville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while evansville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $200,657. On public safety, Evansville is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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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