Charleston SC vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Philadelphia
35.1
Philadelphia +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.1 | Philadelphia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 72.9% | 36.1% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 39.9% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Philadelphia
$37,669
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Philadelphia
34.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $60,698 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $37,669 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 8.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 22.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 34.6% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Philadelphia
52.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 52.3% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Philadelphia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Philadelphia +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 57.1°F | Philadelphia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 48.5 in | Philadelphia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 34.5 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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