Charleston SC vs Lakewood CO — 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%
Lakewood, CO
Colorado · Population: 156,309
- Median HH Income$85,789
- Median Home Price$575,076
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+45.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Lakewood
156,309
Lakewood +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Lakewood
38.0
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Lakewood
8.5%
Lakewood +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Lakewood
76.0%
Lakewood +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Lakewood
1.4%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Lakewood
4.1%
Lakewood +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Lakewood
22.4%
Lakewood +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Lakewood
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 156,309 | Lakewood + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.0 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 8.5% | Lakewood + |
| White | 72.9% | 76.0% | Lakewood + |
| Black | 17.4% | 1.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.1% | Lakewood + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 22.4% | Lakewood + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Lakewood
$85,789
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Lakewood
$51,218
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Lakewood
$76,653
Lakewood +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Lakewood
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Lakewood
9.1%
Lakewood +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Lakewood
45.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $85,789 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $51,218 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,653 | Lakewood + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.5% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 9.1% | Lakewood + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 45.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Lakewood
$575,076
Lakewood +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Lakewood
58.1%
Lakewood +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $575,076 | Lakewood + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 58.1% | Lakewood + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Lakewood
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Lakewood
3234
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Lakewood
23.8%
Lakewood +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Lakewood
8.7%
Lakewood +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Lakewood
15.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Lakewood
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Lakewood
19.7%
Lakewood +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Lakewood
10.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 23.8% | Lakewood + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.7% | Lakewood + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 15.8% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 19.7% | Lakewood + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.7% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Lakewood
51.4°F
Lakewood +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Lakewood
17.3 in
Lakewood +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 51.4°F | Lakewood + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 17.3 in | Lakewood + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Lakewood
6.2 µg/m³
Lakewood +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Lakewood
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Lakewood + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Lakewood
28.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lakewood, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 28.6 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while lakewood offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $575,076. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Lakewood. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Lakewood has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lakewood scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.8%.
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