Charleston SC vs Louisville 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%
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Louisville
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Louisville
37.7
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Louisville
63.1%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Louisville
2.6%
Louisville +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 627,210 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.7 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 9.8% | Louisville + |
| White | 72.9% | 63.1% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 23.7% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.6% | Louisville + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 8.6% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Louisville
$64,731
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Louisville
$38,890
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Charleston +
Louisville
$52,606
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Louisville
5.0%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Louisville
16.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Louisville
33.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $64,731 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $38,890 | 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% | 16.1% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 33.4% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Louisville
$264,957
Louisville +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Louisville
60.6%
Louisville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $264,957 | Louisville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 60.6% | Louisville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 223 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1505 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Louisville
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Louisville
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Louisville
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Louisville
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Louisville
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Louisville
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Louisville, 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
Louisville
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Louisville
43.3 in
Louisville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 43.3 in | Louisville + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Louisville
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Louisville, 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
Louisville
24.2 min
Louisville +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Louisville, KY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 24.2 min | Louisville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while louisville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $264,957. On public safety, Louisville 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 Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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