Charleston SC vs Lincoln NE — 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%
Lincoln, NE
Nebraska · Population: 291,932
- Median HH Income$69,991
- Median Home Price$293,233
- Unemployment3.3%
- Bachelor's+40.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Lincoln
291,932
Lincoln +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Lincoln
33.4
Lincoln +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Lincoln
9.2%
Lincoln +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Lincoln
80.9%
Lincoln +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Lincoln
4.2%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Lincoln
4.5%
Lincoln +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Lincoln
8.8%
Lincoln +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Lincoln
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 291,932 | Lincoln + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.4 | Lincoln + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 9.2% | Lincoln + |
| White | 72.9% | 80.9% | Lincoln + |
| Black | 17.4% | 4.2% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.5% | Lincoln + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 8.8% | Lincoln + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Lincoln
$69,991
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Lincoln
$39,187
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Lincoln
$66,354
Lincoln +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Lincoln
3.3%
Lincoln +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Lincoln
12.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Lincoln
40.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $69,991 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $39,187 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $66,354 | Lincoln + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.3% | Lincoln + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 12.6% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 40.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Lincoln
$293,233
Lincoln +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Lincoln
55.8%
Lincoln +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $293,233 | Lincoln + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 55.8% | Lincoln + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Lincoln
294
Lincoln +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Lincoln
1960
Lincoln +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 294 | Lincoln + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1960 | Lincoln + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Lincoln
35.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Lincoln
9.5%
Tie
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Lincoln
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Lincoln
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Lincoln
20.6%
Lincoln +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Lincoln
12.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 35.1% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.5% | Tie |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 15.2% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 20.6% | Lincoln + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Lincoln
51.6°F
Lincoln +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Lincoln
29.0 in
Lincoln +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 51.6°F | Lincoln + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 29.0 in | Lincoln + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Lincoln
7.6 µg/m³
Lincoln +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Lincoln
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.6 µg/m³ | Lincoln + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Lincoln
20.0 min
Lincoln +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lincoln, NE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 20.0 min | Lincoln + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while lincoln offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,233. On public safety, Lincoln is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Lincoln has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Lincoln has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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