Charleston SC vs Kent WA — 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%
Kent, WA
Washington · Population: 84,389
- Median HH Income$72,867
- Median Home Price$657,911
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+27.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Kent
84,389
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Kent
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Kent
35.8
Kent +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Kent
14.1%
Kent +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Kent
67.2%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Kent
2.3%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Kent
1.9%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Kent
31.8%
Kent +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Kent
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 84,389 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.8 | Kent + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 14.1% | Kent + |
| White | 72.9% | 67.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 2.3% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.9% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 31.8% | Kent + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Kent
$72,867
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Kent
$35,662
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Kent
$76,120
Kent +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Kent
4.9%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Kent
13.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Kent
27.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $72,867 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $35,662 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,120 | Kent + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.9% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 13.9% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 27.0% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Kent
$657,911
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Kent
62.8%
Kent +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $657,911 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 62.8% | Kent + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Kent
383
Kent +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Kent
3409
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Kent + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Kent
25.7%
Kent +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Kent
9.3%
Kent +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Kent
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Kent
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Kent
15.7%
Kent +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Kent
10.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 25.7% | Kent + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.3% | Kent + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.2% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.7% | Kent + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.3% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Kent
53.2°F
Kent +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Kent
39.1 in
Kent +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 53.2°F | Kent + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 39.1 in | Kent + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Kent
7.5 µg/m³
Kent +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Kent
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Kent + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Kent
23.0 min
Kent +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Kent, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 23.0 min | Kent + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Kent is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Kent has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Kent scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.7%.
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