Charleston SC vs Hialeah 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%
Hialeah, FL
Florida · Population: 221,901
- Median HH Income$53,079
- Median Home Price$444,086
- Unemployment3.7%
- Bachelor's+21.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Hialeah
221,901
Hialeah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Hialeah
45.9
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Hialeah
74.7%
Hialeah +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Hialeah
32.4%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Hialeah
1.3%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Hialeah
0.6%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Hialeah
95.2%
Hialeah +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Hialeah
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 221,901 | Hialeah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 45.9 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 74.7% | Hialeah + |
| White | 72.9% | 32.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 1.3% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 0.6% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 95.2% | Hialeah + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Hialeah
$53,079
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Hialeah
$25,766
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Hialeah
$65,328
Hialeah +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Hialeah
3.7%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Hialeah
17.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Hialeah
21.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $53,079 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $25,766 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Hialeah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.7% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 17.5% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 21.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Hialeah
$444,086
Hialeah +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Hialeah
47.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $444,086 | Hialeah + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 47.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Hialeah
324
Hialeah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Hialeah
1453
Hialeah +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Hialeah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Hialeah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Hialeah
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Hialeah
19.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Hialeah
14.2%
Hialeah +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Hialeah
34.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Hialeah
13.4%
Hialeah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Hialeah
12.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 30.9% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 19.1% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 14.2% | Hialeah + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 34.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 13.4% | Hialeah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.1% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
Hialeah
76.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Charleston +
Hialeah
70.4 in
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 76.0°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 70.4 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Hialeah
7.2 µg/m³
Hialeah +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Hialeah
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Hialeah + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Hialeah
31.7 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Hialeah, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 31.7 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while hialeah offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $444,086. On public safety, Hialeah 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 Hialeah 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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