Charleston SC vs Meridian ID — 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%
Meridian, ID
Idaho · Population: 124,865
- Median HH Income$98,686
- Median Home Price$534,732
- Unemployment2.4%
- Bachelor's+44.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Meridian
124,865
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Meridian
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Meridian
37.4
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Charleston +
Meridian
4.8%
White
Charleston
72.9%
Meridian
84.3%
Meridian +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Meridian
1.6%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Meridian
2.1%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Meridian
9.5%
Meridian +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 124,865 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.4 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 4.8% | Charleston + |
| White | 72.9% | 84.3% | Meridian + |
| Black | 17.4% | 1.6% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.1% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 9.5% | Meridian + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Meridian
$98,686
Meridian +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Meridian
$47,751
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Meridian
$57,074
Meridian +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Meridian
2.4%
Meridian +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Meridian
6.2%
Meridian +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Meridian
44.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $98,686 | Meridian + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $47,751 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $57,074 | Meridian + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 2.4% | Meridian + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 6.2% | Meridian + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 44.4% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Meridian
$534,732
Meridian +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Meridian
76.1%
Meridian +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $534,732 | Meridian + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 76.1% | Meridian + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Meridian
251
Meridian +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Meridian
958
Meridian +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 251 | Meridian + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 958 | Meridian + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Meridian
28.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Meridian
8.4%
Meridian +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Meridian
15.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Meridian
8.2%
Meridian +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Meridian
17.6%
Meridian +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Meridian
10.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 28.8% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.4% | Meridian + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 15.5% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.2% | Meridian + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 17.6% | Meridian + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.3% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Meridian
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Meridian
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Meridian
7.7 µg/m³
Meridian +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Meridian
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Meridian + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Meridian
23.6 min
Meridian +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Meridian, ID | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 23.6 min | Meridian + |
Which City is Right for You?
Meridian leads in median household income at $98,686, while meridian offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $534,732. On public safety, Meridian is safer with a violent crime rate of 251 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Meridian has a lower unemployment rate at 2.4%, and Meridian has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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