Charleston SC vs Lowell MA — 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%
Lowell, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 114,799
- Median HH Income$76,205
- Median Home Price$484,226
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Lowell
114,799
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Lowell
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Lowell
35.5
Lowell +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Lowell
29.5%
Lowell +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Lowell
50.9%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Lowell
10.8%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Lowell
21.1%
Lowell +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Lowell
19.3%
Lowell +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Lowell
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 114,799 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.5 | Lowell + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 29.5% | Lowell + |
| White | 72.9% | 50.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 10.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 21.1% | Lowell + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 19.3% | Lowell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Lowell
$76,205
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Lowell
$36,138
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Lowell
$85,405
Lowell +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Lowell
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Lowell
16.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Lowell
29.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $76,205 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $36,138 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $85,405 | Lowell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 29.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Lowell
$484,226
Lowell +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Lowell
44.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $484,226 | Lowell + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 44.0% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Lowell
326
Lowell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Lowell
1086
Lowell +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Lowell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Lowell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Lowell
27.2%
Lowell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Lowell
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Lowell
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Lowell
8.2%
Lowell +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Lowell
15.1%
Lowell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Lowell
14.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 27.2% | Lowell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.9% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.5% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.2% | Lowell + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.1% | Lowell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.1% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Lowell
48.5°F
Lowell +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Lowell
47.0 in
Lowell +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 48.5°F | Lowell + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 47.0 in | Lowell + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Lowell
7.2 µg/m³
Lowell +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Lowell
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Lowell + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Lowell
30.1 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lowell, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 30.1 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while lowell offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $484,226. On public safety, Lowell is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Lowell has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lowell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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