Charleston SC vs Lexington KY — 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%
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Lexington
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Lexington
35.2
Lexington +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Lexington
11.0%
Lexington +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Lexington
69.9%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Lexington
14.4%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Lexington
9.2%
Lexington +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 321,122 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.2 | Lexington + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 11.0% | Lexington + |
| White | 72.9% | 69.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 14.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.2% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 9.2% | Lexington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Lexington
$67,631
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Lexington
$42,272
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Charleston +
Lexington
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Lexington
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Lexington
15.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Lexington
47.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $67,631 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $42,272 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $52,606 | Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.0% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.7% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 47.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Lexington
$332,727
Lexington +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Lexington
53.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $332,727 | Lexington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 53.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Lexington
223
Lexington +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 223 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1505 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Lexington
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Lexington
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Lexington
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Lexington
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Lexington
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Lexington
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Lexington
55.6°F
Lexington +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Lexington
45.2 in
Lexington +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 55.6°F | Lexington + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 45.2 in | Lexington + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Lexington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lexington, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 22.5 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while lexington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $332,727. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Lexington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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