Charleston SC vs Garden Grove 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%
Garden Grove, CA
California · Population: 170,603
- Median HH Income$90,166
- Median Home Price$1,012,728
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Garden Grove
170,603
Garden Grove +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Garden Grove
39.6
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Garden Grove
45.3%
Garden Grove +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Garden Grove
28.4%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Garden Grove
1.3%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Garden Grove
41.6%
Garden Grove +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Garden Grove
37.6%
Garden Grove +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 170,603 | Garden Grove + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 39.6 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 45.3% | Garden Grove + |
| White | 72.9% | 28.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 1.3% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 41.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 37.6% | Garden Grove + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Garden Grove
$90,166
Garden Grove +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Garden Grove
$32,387
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Garden Grove
$77,230
Garden Grove +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Garden Grove
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Garden Grove
12.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Garden Grove
24.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $90,166 | Garden Grove + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $32,387 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Garden Grove + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.8% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 12.2% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 24.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Garden Grove
$1,012,728
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Garden Grove
53.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $1,012,728 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 53.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Garden Grove
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Garden Grove
2388
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Garden Grove, 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%
Garden Grove
23.1%
Garden Grove +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Garden Grove
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Garden Grove
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Garden Grove
12.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Garden Grove
12.9%
Garden Grove +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Garden Grove
11.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 23.1% | Garden Grove + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.1% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.7% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 12.9% | Garden Grove + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.4% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Garden Grove
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Garden Grove
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Garden Grove
7.9 µg/m³
Garden Grove +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Garden Grove
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Garden Grove + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Garden Grove
31.1 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Garden Grove, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 31.1 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Garden Grove leads in median household income at $90,166, 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 Garden Grove. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Garden Grove has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Garden Grove scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.1%.
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