Charleston SC vs Rochester MN — 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%
Rochester, MN
Minnesota · Population: 26,509
- Median HH Income$127,247
- Median Home Price$344,633
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+50.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Rochester
26,509
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Rochester
38.7
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Rochester
82.9%
Rochester +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Rochester
3.6%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Rochester
5.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Charleston +
Rochester
3.9%
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 26,509 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.7 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| White | 72.9% | 82.9% | Rochester + |
| Black | 17.4% | 3.6% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 3.9% | Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Rochester
$127,247
Rochester +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Rochester
$57,602
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Rochester
$69,467
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Rochester
2.9%
Rochester +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Rochester
50.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $127,247 | Rochester + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $57,602 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $69,467 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 2.9% | Rochester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 50.3% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Rochester
$344,633
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Rochester
86.6%
Rochester +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $344,633 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 86.6% | Rochester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Rochester
284
Rochester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Rochester
1992
Rochester +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Rochester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Rochester
36.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Rochester
9.2%
Rochester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Rochester
14.3%
Rochester +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Rochester
7.1%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Rochester
16.0%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Rochester
11.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 36.4% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.2% | Rochester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 14.3% | Rochester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 7.1% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.0% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.4% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Rochester
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Rochester
34.0 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 34.0 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Rochester
28.3 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 28.3 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Rochester leads in median household income at $127,247, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $344,633. On public safety, Rochester is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Rochester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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