Charleston SC vs Overland Park KS — 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%
Overland Park, KS
Kansas · Population: 143,720
- Median HH Income$112,232
- Median Home Price$487,466
- Unemployment2.8%
- Bachelor's+49.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Overland Park
143,720
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Overland Park
36.6
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Overland Park
10.7%
Overland Park +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Overland Park
78.6%
Overland Park +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Overland Park
4.9%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Overland Park
4.2%
Overland Park +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Overland Park
12.6%
Overland Park +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 143,720 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.6 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 10.7% | Overland Park + |
| White | 72.9% | 78.6% | Overland Park + |
| Black | 17.4% | 4.9% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.2% | Overland Park + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 12.6% | Overland Park + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Overland Park
$112,232
Overland Park +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Overland Park
$48,655
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Overland Park
$61,860
Overland Park +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Overland Park
2.8%
Overland Park +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Overland Park
5.6%
Overland Park +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Overland Park
49.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $112,232 | Overland Park + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $48,655 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $61,860 | Overland Park + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 2.8% | Overland Park + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 5.6% | Overland Park + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 49.4% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Overland Park
$487,466
Overland Park +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Overland Park
73.7%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $487,466 | Overland Park + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 73.7% | Overland Park + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Overland Park
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Overland Park
2174
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Overland Park
30.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Overland Park
9.2%
Overland Park +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Overland Park
12.8%
Overland Park +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Overland Park
6.2%
Overland Park +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Overland Park
16.9%
Overland Park +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Overland Park
9.0%
Overland Park +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 30.0% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.2% | Overland Park + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 12.8% | Overland Park + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 6.2% | Overland Park + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.9% | Overland Park + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.0% | Overland Park + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Overland Park
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Overland Park
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Overland Park, KS | 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
Overland Park
8.2 µg/m³
Overland Park +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Overland Park
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Overland Park + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Overland Park
22.4 min
Overland Park +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Overland Park, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 22.4 min | Overland Park + |
Which City is Right for You?
Overland Park leads in median household income at $112,232, while overland Park offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $487,466. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Overland Park. Overland Park has a lower unemployment rate at 2.8%, and Overland Park has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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