Charleston SC vs Little Rock AR — 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%
Little Rock, AR
Arkansas · Population: 202,739
- Median HH Income$60,583
- Median Home Price$216,863
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Little Rock
202,739
Little Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Little Rock
36.4
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Little Rock
7.9%
Little Rock +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Little Rock
46.4%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Little Rock
39.4%
Little Rock +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Little Rock
3.0%
Little Rock +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Little Rock
10.4%
Little Rock +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Little Rock
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 202,739 | Little Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.4 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 7.9% | Little Rock + |
| White | 72.9% | 46.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 39.4% | Little Rock + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.0% | Little Rock + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 10.4% | Little Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Little Rock
$60,583
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Little Rock
$43,242
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Charleston +
Little Rock
$53,714
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Little Rock
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Little Rock
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Little Rock
44.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $60,583 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $43,242 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $53,714 | Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.2% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.4% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 44.0% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Little Rock
$216,863
Little Rock +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Little Rock
54.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $216,863 | Little Rock + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 54.2% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Little Rock
660
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Little Rock
2507
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 660 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2507 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Little Rock
40.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Little Rock
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Little Rock
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Little Rock
11.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Little Rock
14.3%
Little Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Little Rock
13.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 40.5% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.1% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.5% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 14.3% | Little Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.3% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Little Rock
62.7°F
Little Rock +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Little Rock
50.0 in
Little Rock +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 62.7°F | Little Rock + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 50.0 in | Little Rock + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Little Rock
9.5 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Little Rock
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.5 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Little Rock
20.0 min
Little Rock +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Little Rock, AR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 20.0 min | Little Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while little Rock offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $216,863. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 660 in Little Rock. 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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