Charleston SC vs Peoria IL — 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%
Peoria, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Peoria
59.6%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 11,626 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 72.9% | 59.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 4.7% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.6% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Peoria
$83,102
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Peoria
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $83,102 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $33,805 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.8% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 27.6% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Peoria
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 36.2% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.8% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Peoria
38.0 in
Peoria +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 38.0 in | Peoria + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 34.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. 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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