Charleston SC vs Pueblo CO — 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%
Pueblo, CO
Colorado · Population: 111,514
- Median HH Income$55,305
- Median Home Price$286,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Pueblo
111,514
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Pueblo
38.1
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Charleston +
Pueblo
4.0%
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Pueblo
70.3%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Pueblo
2.7%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Pueblo
0.8%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Pueblo
48.4%
Pueblo +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Pueblo
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 111,514 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.1 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 4.0% | Charleston + |
| White | 72.9% | 70.3% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 2.7% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 0.8% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 48.4% | Pueblo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Pueblo
$55,305
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Pueblo
$30,949
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Pueblo
$76,653
Pueblo +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Pueblo
5.9%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Pueblo
19.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Pueblo
22.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $55,305 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $30,949 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,653 | Pueblo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.9% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 19.2% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 22.8% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Pueblo
$286,326
Pueblo +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Pueblo
60.8%
Pueblo +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $286,326 | Pueblo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 60.8% | Pueblo + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Pueblo
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Pueblo
3234
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Pueblo
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Pueblo
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Pueblo
18.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Pueblo
18.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Pueblo
15.6%
Pueblo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Pueblo
15.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 33.5% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.0% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 18.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.6% | Pueblo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.1% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Pueblo
53.7°F
Pueblo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Pueblo
13.0 in
Pueblo +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 53.7°F | Pueblo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 13.0 in | Pueblo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Pueblo
6.2 µg/m³
Pueblo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Pueblo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Pueblo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Pueblo
21.1 min
Pueblo +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pueblo, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 21.1 min | Pueblo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while pueblo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $286,326. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Pueblo. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Pueblo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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