Charleston SC vs Madison WI — 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%
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Madison
275,568
Madison +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Madison
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Madison
31.8
Madison +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Madison
11.6%
Madison +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Madison
7.1%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Madison
9.3%
Madison +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Madison
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 275,568 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 31.8 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 11.6% | Madison + |
| White | 72.9% | 73.0% | Madison + |
| Black | 17.4% | 7.1% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 8.0% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 9.3% | Madison + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Madison
$76,983
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Madison
$48,557
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Madison
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $76,983 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $48,557 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $61,837 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 2.7% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.2% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 59.2% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Madison
$429,253
Madison +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Madison
46.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $429,253 | Madison + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 46.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Madison
309
Madison +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Madison
1392
Madison +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 309 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1392 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Madison
32.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Madison
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Madison
20.8%
Madison +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Madison
10.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 32.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.4% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.5% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 7.9% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 20.8% | Madison + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.2% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Madison
46.7°F
Madison +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Madison
37.3 in
Madison +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 46.7°F | Madison + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 37.3 in | Madison + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Madison
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Madison, WI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 21.2 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while madison offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,253. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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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