Charleston SC vs Memphis TN — 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%
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Memphis
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Memphis
34.3
Memphis +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Memphis
7.4%
Memphis +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Memphis
25.0%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Memphis
1.7%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Memphis
10.2%
Memphis +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Memphis
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 629,063 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.3 | Memphis + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 7.4% | Memphis + |
| White | 72.9% | 25.0% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 62.9% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.7% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 10.2% | Memphis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Memphis
$51,211
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Memphis
$32,314
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Memphis
8.3%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Memphis
22.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Memphis
28.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $51,211 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $32,314 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,097 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 8.3% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 22.5% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 28.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Memphis
46.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $147,306 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 46.0% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Memphis
639
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Memphis
2350
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 639 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2350 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Memphis
42.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Memphis
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Memphis
20.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Memphis
14.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Memphis
19.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 42.1% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 17.6% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 20.7% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 13.5% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 19.9% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Memphis
60.9°F
Memphis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Charleston +
Memphis
54.9 in
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 60.9°F | Memphis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 54.9 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Memphis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Memphis, TN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 22.9 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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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