Charleston SC vs Everett WA — 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%
Everett, WA
Washington · Population: 111,083
- Median HH Income$81,502
- Median Home Price$665,406
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Everett
111,083
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Everett
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Everett
37.1
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Everett
21.6%
Everett +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Everett
61.4%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Everett
6.5%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Everett
10.0%
Everett +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Everett
17.3%
Everett +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Everett
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 111,083 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 21.6% | Everett + |
| White | 72.9% | 61.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 6.5% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 10.0% | Everett + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 17.3% | Everett + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Everett
$81,502
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Everett
$44,115
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Everett
$76,120
Everett +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Everett
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Everett
12.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Everett
28.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $81,502 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $44,115 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,120 | Everett + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 12.1% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 28.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Everett
$665,406
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Everett
50.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $665,406 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 50.0% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Everett
383
Everett +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Everett
3409
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Everett + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Everett
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Everett
9.4%
Everett +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Everett
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Everett
9.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Everett
16.5%
Everett +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Everett
11.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 32.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.4% | Everett + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.5% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.8% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.5% | Everett + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.6% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Everett
51.8°F
Everett +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Everett
38.4 in
Everett +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 51.8°F | Everett + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 38.4 in | Everett + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Everett
7.5 µg/m³
Everett +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Everett
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Everett + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Everett
28.9 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Everett, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 28.9 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, Everett is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Everett has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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