Charleston SC vs Hartford CT — 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%
Hartford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 119,970
- Median HH Income$45,300
- Median Home Price$199,359
- Unemployment10.6%
- Bachelor's+18.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Hartford
119,970
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Hartford
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Hartford
33.4
Hartford +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Hartford
23.0%
Hartford +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Hartford
26.4%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Hartford
36.1%
Hartford +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Hartford
2.3%
Hartford +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Hartford
44.8%
Hartford +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Hartford
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 119,970 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.4 | Hartford + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 23.0% | Hartford + |
| White | 72.9% | 26.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 36.1% | Hartford + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.3% | Hartford + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 44.8% | Hartford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Hartford
$45,300
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Hartford
$27,319
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Hartford
$85,393
Hartford +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Hartford
10.6%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Hartford
25.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Hartford
18.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $45,300 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $27,319 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $85,393 | Hartford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 10.6% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 25.5% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 18.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Hartford
$199,359
Hartford +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Hartford
25.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $199,359 | Hartford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 25.8% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Hartford
156
Hartford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Hartford
1524
Hartford +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Hartford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Hartford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Hartford
40.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Hartford
15.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Hartford
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Hartford
20.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Hartford
13.7%
Hartford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Hartford
16.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 40.4% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.8% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 20.8% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 20.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 13.7% | Hartford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 16.3% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Hartford
50.6°F
Hartford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Hartford
45.9 in
Hartford +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 50.6°F | Hartford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 45.9 in | Hartford + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Hartford
7.7 µg/m³
Hartford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Hartford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Hartford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Hartford
24.4 min
Hartford +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hartford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 24.4 min | Hartford + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while hartford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $199,359. On public safety, Hartford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Hartford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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