Charleston SC vs Gainesville FL — 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%
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Gainesville
143,611
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Gainesville
59.2%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Gainesville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 143,611 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 26.5 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 12.1% | Gainesville + |
| White | 72.9% | 59.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 21.6% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.2% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 13.4% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Gainesville
$45,611
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Gainesville
$30,282
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Gainesville
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Gainesville
28.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Gainesville
51.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $45,611 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $30,282 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.8% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 28.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 51.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Gainesville
$299,633
Gainesville +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Gainesville
38.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $299,633 | Gainesville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 38.5% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Gainesville
31.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Gainesville
21.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Gainesville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Gainesville
17.8%
Gainesville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Gainesville
11.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 31.2% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.8% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 21.3% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 13.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 17.8% | Gainesville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.8% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
Gainesville
68.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Gainesville
47.3 in
Gainesville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 68.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 47.3 in | Gainesville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Gainesville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Gainesville
20.1 min
Gainesville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Gainesville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 20.1 min | Gainesville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while gainesville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $299,633. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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