Charleston SC vs Kailua HI — 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%
Kailua, HI
Hawaii · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$1,530,716
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Kailua
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Kailua
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Kailua
N/A
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Kailua
N/A
White
Charleston
72.9%
Kailua
N/A
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Kailua
N/A
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Kailua
N/A
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Kailua
N/A
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | N/A | - |
| White | 72.9% | N/A | - |
| Black | 17.4% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 2.2% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Kailua
N/A
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Kailua
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Kailua
$63,296
Kailua +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Kailua
N/A
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Kailua
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,296 | Kailua + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Kailua
$1,530,716
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $1,530,716 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Kailua
276
Kailua +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Kailua
2592
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 276 | Kailua + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2592 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Kailua
26.5%
Kailua +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Kailua
9.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Kailua
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Kailua
3.7%
Kailua +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Kailua
18.3%
Kailua +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Kailua
14.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 26.5% | Kailua + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.8% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 15.8% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 3.7% | Kailua + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 18.3% | Kailua + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.9% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
Kailua
69.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Charleston +
Kailua
107.9 in
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 69.3°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 107.9 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Kailua
3.3 µg/m³
Kailua +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Kailua
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 3.3 µg/m³ | Kailua + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Kailua
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kailua, HI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Kailua is safer with a violent crime rate of 276 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Kailua has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 3.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kailua scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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