Charleston SC vs Orem UT — 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%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Orem
10.5%
Orem +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 86,973 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 10.5% | Orem + |
| White | 72.9% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 17.4% | 1.9% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.6% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Orem
$70,053
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Orem
4.0%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Orem
12.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $70,053 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $33,579 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.0% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 12.7% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 25.6% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Orem
$509,396
Orem +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $509,396 | Orem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Orem
30.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Orem
17.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Orem
11.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 30.3% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.5% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Orem
52.5°F
Orem +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Orem
13.3 in
Orem +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 52.5°F | Orem + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 13.3 in | Orem + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while orem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $509,396. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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