Charleston SC vs Lee's Summit MO — 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%
Lee's Summit, MO
Missouri · Population: 102,583
- Median HH Income$104,989
- Median Home Price$313,200
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+48.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
102,583
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
38.6
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
4.2%
White
Charleston
72.9%
Lee's Summit
78.7%
Lee's Summit +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
10.2%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
1.9%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
5.3%
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 102,583 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.6 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 4.2% | Charleston + |
| White | 72.9% | 78.7% | Lee's Summit + |
| Black | 17.4% | 10.2% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.9% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 5.3% | Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Lee's Summit
$104,989
Lee's Summit +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
$48,687
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Lee's Summit
$58,527
Lee's Summit +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Lee's Summit
5.5%
Lee's Summit +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
48.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $104,989 | Lee's Summit + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $48,687 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,527 | Lee's Summit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.9% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 5.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 48.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Lee's Summit
$313,200
Lee's Summit +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Lee's Summit
73.6%
Lee's Summit +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $313,200 | Lee's Summit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 73.6% | Lee's Summit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
2418
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
32.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Lee's Summit
9.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Lee's Summit
6.4%
Lee's Summit +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Lee's Summit
18.5%
Lee's Summit +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
11.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 32.6% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.7% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 6.4% | Lee's Summit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 18.5% | Lee's Summit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.9% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Lee's Summit
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Lee's Summit
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Lee's Summit
26.9 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lee's Summit, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 26.9 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lee's Summit leads in median household income at $104,989, while lee's Summit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,200. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Lee's Summit. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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