Charleston SC vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Raleigh
34.7
Raleigh +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Raleigh
53.8%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Raleigh
27.5%
Raleigh +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Raleigh
12.7%
Raleigh +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.7 | Raleigh + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 72.9% | 53.8% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 27.5% | Raleigh + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 12.7% | Raleigh + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Raleigh
$82,424
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Raleigh
$49,948
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Raleigh
52.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $82,424 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $49,948 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.5% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 52.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Raleigh
$435,807
Raleigh +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Raleigh
51.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $435,807 | Raleigh + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 51.2% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Raleigh
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Raleigh
1999
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Raleigh
30.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Raleigh
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Raleigh
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Raleigh
10.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 30.9% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.6% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Raleigh
61.1°F
Raleigh +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Raleigh
46.2 in
Raleigh +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 61.1°F | Raleigh + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 46.2 in | Raleigh + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while raleigh offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $435,807. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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