Charleston SC vs Oklahoma City OK — 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%
Oklahoma City, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 688,693
- Median HH Income$66,702
- Median Home Price$207,961
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+34.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Oklahoma City
688,693
Oklahoma City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Oklahoma City
35.0
Oklahoma City +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Oklahoma City
12.0%
Oklahoma City +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Oklahoma City
58.4%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Oklahoma City
13.4%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Oklahoma City
4.5%
Oklahoma City +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Oklahoma City
21.7%
Oklahoma City +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Oklahoma City
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 688,693 | Oklahoma City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.0 | Oklahoma City + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 12.0% | Oklahoma City + |
| White | 72.9% | 58.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 13.4% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.5% | Oklahoma City + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 21.7% | Oklahoma City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Oklahoma City
$66,702
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Oklahoma City
$37,109
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Oklahoma City
$57,929
Oklahoma City +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Oklahoma City
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Oklahoma City
15.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Oklahoma City
34.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $66,702 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $37,109 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $57,929 | Oklahoma City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.7% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.2% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 34.0% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Oklahoma City
$207,961
Oklahoma City +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Oklahoma City
59.1%
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $207,961 | Oklahoma City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 59.1% | Oklahoma City + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Oklahoma City
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Oklahoma City
2375
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 429 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2375 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Oklahoma City
38.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Oklahoma City
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Oklahoma City
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Oklahoma City
14.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Oklahoma City
14.6%
Oklahoma City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Oklahoma City
14.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 38.3% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.6% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.8% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 14.6% | Oklahoma City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.9% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Oklahoma City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Oklahoma City
37.6 in
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 37.6 in | Oklahoma City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Oklahoma City
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Oklahoma City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Oklahoma City
23.6 min
Oklahoma City +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Oklahoma City, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 23.6 min | Oklahoma City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while oklahoma City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $207,961. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Oklahoma City. 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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