Charleston SC vs Minneapolis MN — 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%
Minneapolis, MN
Minnesota · Population: 426,845
- Median HH Income$80,269
- Median Home Price$334,719
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+54.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Minneapolis
426,845
Minneapolis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Minneapolis
33.0
Minneapolis +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Minneapolis
14.1%
Minneapolis +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Minneapolis
61.6%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Minneapolis
18.3%
Minneapolis +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Minneapolis
5.2%
Minneapolis +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Minneapolis
10.5%
Minneapolis +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Minneapolis
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 426,845 | Minneapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.0 | Minneapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 14.1% | Minneapolis + |
| White | 72.9% | 61.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 18.3% | Minneapolis + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.2% | Minneapolis + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 10.5% | Minneapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Minneapolis
$80,269
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Minneapolis
$50,605
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Minneapolis
$69,467
Minneapolis +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Minneapolis
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Minneapolis
16.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Minneapolis
54.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $80,269 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $50,605 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $69,467 | Minneapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.7% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.4% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 54.4% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Minneapolis
$334,719
Minneapolis +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Minneapolis
48.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $334,719 | Minneapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 48.0% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Minneapolis
284
Minneapolis +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Minneapolis
1992
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Minneapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Minneapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Minneapolis
28.6%
Minneapolis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Minneapolis
7.4%
Minneapolis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Minneapolis
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Minneapolis
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Minneapolis
19.8%
Minneapolis +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Minneapolis
12.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 28.6% | Minneapolis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.4% | Minneapolis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 19.8% | Minneapolis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.7% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Minneapolis
46.3°F
Minneapolis +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Minneapolis
30.6 in
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 46.3°F | Minneapolis + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 30.6 in | Minneapolis + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Minneapolis
8.1 µg/m³
Minneapolis +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Minneapolis
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Minneapolis + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Minneapolis
24.2 min
Minneapolis +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Minneapolis, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 24.2 min | Minneapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while minneapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $334,719. On public safety, Minneapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Minneapolis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Minneapolis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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