Charleston SC vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Providence
40.7%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 72.9% | 40.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 13.3% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Providence
$66,772
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Providence
$36,694
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Providence
34.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $66,772 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $36,694 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 20.1% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 34.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Providence
$429,449
Providence +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $429,449 | Providence + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 41.2% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Providence
34.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Providence
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Providence
14.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Providence
12.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 34.4% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 19.6% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.1% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Providence
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 27.4 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while providence offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $429,449. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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