Charleston SC vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Provo
2.2%
Provo +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 114,303 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 72.9% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 17.4% | 1.1% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.2% | Provo + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Provo
$62,800
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Provo
4.7%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Provo
45.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $62,800 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $26,755 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.7% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 22.3% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 45.0% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Provo
$486,127
Provo +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $486,127 | Provo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 39.9% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Provo
30.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Provo
12.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 30.7% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 21.5% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Provo
53.4°F
Provo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Provo
19.8 in
Provo +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 53.4°F | Provo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 19.8 in | Provo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while provo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $486,127. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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