Charleston SC vs Pompano Beach 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%
Pompano Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 112,212
- Median HH Income$63,832
- Median Home Price$353,345
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+31.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
112,212
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Pompano Beach
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
41.7
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Pompano Beach
32.3%
Pompano Beach +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
48.0%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Pompano Beach
28.3%
Pompano Beach +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
1.9%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Pompano Beach
24.9%
Pompano Beach +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Pompano Beach
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 112,212 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 41.7 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 32.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| White | 72.9% | 48.0% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 28.3% | Pompano Beach + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.9% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 24.9% | Pompano Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
$63,832
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
$39,377
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Pompano Beach
$65,328
Pompano Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
31.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $63,832 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $39,377 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Pompano Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 8.2% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.3% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 31.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Pompano Beach
$353,345
Pompano Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
53.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $353,345 | Pompano Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 53.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Pompano Beach
324
Pompano Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Pompano Beach
1453
Pompano Beach +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Pompano Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Pompano Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
31.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
13.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
18.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Pompano Beach
13.7%
Pompano Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
14.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 31.3% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.9% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.2% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 18.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 13.7% | Pompano Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.4% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
75.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
60.0 in
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 75.9°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 60.0 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Pompano Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Pompano Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Pompano Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Pompano Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Pompano Beach
29.9 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pompano Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 29.9 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while pompano Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $353,345. On public safety, Pompano Beach 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 Pompano Beach 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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