Charleston SC vs Jacksonville 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%
Jacksonville, FL
Florida · Population: 961,739
- Median HH Income$66,981
- Median Home Price$286,396
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+31.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Jacksonville
36.4
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Jacksonville
51.2%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Jacksonville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 961,739 | Jacksonville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.4 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 12.2% | Jacksonville + |
| White | 72.9% | 51.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 30.1% | Jacksonville + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.9% | Jacksonville + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 12.0% | Jacksonville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Jacksonville
$66,981
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Jacksonville
$37,269
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Jacksonville
$65,328
Jacksonville +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Jacksonville
4.6%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Jacksonville
15.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Jacksonville
31.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $66,981 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $37,269 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Jacksonville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.6% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 31.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Jacksonville
$286,396
Jacksonville +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Jacksonville
57.4%
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $286,396 | Jacksonville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 57.4% | Jacksonville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Jacksonville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Jacksonville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Jacksonville
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Jacksonville
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Jacksonville
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Jacksonville
13.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Jacksonville
14.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 34.8% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.2% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.8% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 13.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.2% | Jacksonville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.8% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Jacksonville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 70.2°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 50.0 in | Jacksonville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Jacksonville
7.2 µg/m³
Jacksonville +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Jacksonville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Jacksonville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Jacksonville
26.0 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jacksonville, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 26.0 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while jacksonville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,396. On public safety, Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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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