Charleston SC vs Fort Collins CO — 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%
Fort Collins, CO
Colorado · Population: 169,705
- Median HH Income$83,598
- Median Home Price$568,389
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+59.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Fort Collins
169,705
Fort Collins +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Fort Collins
30.6
Fort Collins +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Fort Collins
6.6%
Fort Collins +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Fort Collins
81.7%
Fort Collins +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Fort Collins
1.4%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Fort Collins
3.4%
Fort Collins +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Fort Collins
12.3%
Fort Collins +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Fort Collins
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 169,705 | Fort Collins + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 30.6 | Fort Collins + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 6.6% | Fort Collins + |
| White | 72.9% | 81.7% | Fort Collins + |
| Black | 17.4% | 1.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.4% | Fort Collins + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 12.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Fort Collins
$83,598
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Fort Collins
$46,341
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Fort Collins
$76,653
Fort Collins +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Fort Collins
5.2%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Fort Collins
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Fort Collins
59.9%
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $83,598 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $46,341 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,653 | Fort Collins + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.2% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 59.9% | Fort Collins + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Fort Collins
$568,389
Fort Collins +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Fort Collins
52.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $568,389 | Fort Collins + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 52.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Fort Collins
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Fort Collins
3234
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Fort Collins
23.8%
Fort Collins +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Fort Collins
6.2%
Fort Collins +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Fort Collins
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Fort Collins
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Fort Collins
20.3%
Fort Collins +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Fort Collins
9.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 23.8% | Fort Collins + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.2% | Fort Collins + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.7% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 20.3% | Fort Collins + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.9% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Fort Collins
50.3°F
Fort Collins +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Fort Collins
16.1 in
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 50.3°F | Fort Collins + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 16.1 in | Fort Collins + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Fort Collins
6.2 µg/m³
Fort Collins +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Fort Collins
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Fort Collins + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Fort Collins
21.8 min
Fort Collins +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fort Collins, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 21.8 min | Fort Collins + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while fort Collins offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $568,389. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Fort Collins. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Fort Collins has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fort Collins scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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