Charleston SC vs Portland OR — 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%
Portland, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Portland
70.1%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.6 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 72.9% | 70.1% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 5.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Portland
$88,792
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Portland
$55,312
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Portland
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Portland
53.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $88,792 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $55,312 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.5% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 12.8% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 53.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Portland
$538,687
Portland +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Portland
52.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $538,687 | Portland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 52.8% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Portland
3001
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Portland
11.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.3% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.7% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Portland
51.6°F
Portland +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Charleston +
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 51.6°F | Portland + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 78.3 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.0 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Portland
26.5 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 26.5 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while portland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $538,687. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 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, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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