Charleston SC vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Roanoke
7.5%
Roanoke +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Roanoke
57.5%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Roanoke
29.0%
Roanoke +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Roanoke
3.1%
Roanoke +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Roanoke
8.6%
Roanoke +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 98,677 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.0 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 7.5% | Roanoke + |
| White | 72.9% | 57.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 29.0% | Roanoke + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.1% | Roanoke + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 8.6% | Roanoke + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Roanoke
28.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $52,671 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $34,792 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.5% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 19.7% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 28.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Roanoke
51.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 51.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Roanoke
11.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 41.9% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.9% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.4% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 16.7% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Roanoke
56.0°F
Roanoke +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Roanoke
44.5 in
Roanoke +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 56.0°F | Roanoke + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 44.5 in | Roanoke + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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