Charleston SC vs Pembroke Pines FL — 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%
Pembroke Pines, FL
Florida · Population: 170,557
- Median HH Income$81,675
- Median Home Price$488,550
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+38.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Pembroke Pines
170,557
Pembroke Pines +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Pembroke Pines
43.7
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Pembroke Pines
39.5%
Pembroke Pines +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Pembroke Pines
43.9%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Pembroke Pines
21.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Pembroke Pines
5.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Pembroke Pines
47.8%
Pembroke Pines +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 170,557 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 43.7 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 39.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| White | 72.9% | 43.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 21.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 47.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Pembroke Pines
$81,675
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Pembroke Pines
$39,881
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Pembroke Pines
$65,328
Pembroke Pines +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Pembroke Pines
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Pembroke Pines
10.2%
Pembroke Pines +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Pembroke Pines
38.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $81,675 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $39,881 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.2% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 10.2% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 38.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Pembroke Pines
$488,550
Pembroke Pines +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Pembroke Pines
70.8%
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $488,550 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 70.8% | Pembroke Pines + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Pembroke Pines
324
Pembroke Pines +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Pembroke Pines
1453
Pembroke Pines +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Pembroke Pines + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Pembroke Pines + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Pembroke Pines
29.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Pembroke Pines
13.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Pembroke Pines
14.5%
Pembroke Pines +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Pembroke Pines
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Pembroke Pines
14.0%
Pembroke Pines +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Pembroke Pines
9.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 29.0% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.4% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 14.5% | Pembroke Pines + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 17.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 14.0% | Pembroke Pines + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.7% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Pembroke Pines
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Pembroke Pines
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pembroke Pines, FL | 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
Pembroke Pines
7.2 µg/m³
Pembroke Pines +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Pembroke Pines
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Pembroke Pines + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Pembroke Pines
33.2 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pembroke Pines, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 33.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while pembroke Pines offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $488,550. On public safety, Pembroke Pines is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Pembroke Pines has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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