Charleston SC vs Las Vegas NV — 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%
Las Vegas, NV
Nevada · Population: 650,873
- Median HH Income$70,723
- Median Home Price$426,069
- Unemployment7.2%
- Bachelor's+27.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Las Vegas
650,873
Las Vegas +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Las Vegas
38.5
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Las Vegas
20.9%
Las Vegas +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
49.2%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
11.9%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Las Vegas
6.9%
Las Vegas +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Las Vegas
34.1%
Las Vegas +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Las Vegas
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 650,873 | Las Vegas + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.5 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 20.9% | Las Vegas + |
| White | 72.9% | 49.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 11.9% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.9% | Las Vegas + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 34.1% | Las Vegas + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Las Vegas
$70,723
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Las Vegas
$38,421
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Las Vegas
$62,696
Las Vegas +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
7.2%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
14.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
27.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $70,723 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $38,421 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $62,696 | Las Vegas + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.2% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 14.2% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 27.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Las Vegas
$426,069
Las Vegas +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Las Vegas
55.7%
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $426,069 | Las Vegas + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 55.7% | Las Vegas + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Las Vegas
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Las Vegas
2417
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
32.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
12.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
19.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
17.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Las Vegas
15.4%
Las Vegas +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Las Vegas
15.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 32.4% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 19.5% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 17.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.4% | Las Vegas + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.6% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
Las Vegas
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Las Vegas
5.1 in
Las Vegas +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 67.4°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 5.1 in | Las Vegas + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Las Vegas
5.2 µg/m³
Las Vegas +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Las Vegas
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Las Vegas + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Las Vegas
27.7 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Las Vegas, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 27.7 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while las Vegas offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $426,069. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Las Vegas. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Las Vegas has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, SC vs New York, NYCharleston, SC vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, SC vs Chicago, ILCharleston, SC vs Houston, TXCharleston, SC vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, SC vs Philadelphia, PA