Charleston SC vs Roswell GA — 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%
Roswell, GA
Georgia · Population: 92,577
- Median HH Income$124,422
- Median Home Price$662,209
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+64.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Roswell
92,577
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Roswell
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Roswell
40.0
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Roswell
18.7%
Roswell +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Roswell
65.0%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Roswell
11.1%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Roswell
4.5%
Roswell +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Roswell
16.8%
Roswell +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 92,577 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 40.0 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 18.7% | Roswell + |
| White | 72.9% | 65.0% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 11.1% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.5% | Roswell + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 16.8% | Roswell + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Roswell
$124,422
Roswell +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Roswell
$65,454
Roswell +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Roswell
$57,405
Roswell +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Roswell
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Roswell
7.4%
Roswell +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Roswell
64.8%
Roswell +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $124,422 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $65,454 | Roswell + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $57,405 | Roswell + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.3% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.4% | Roswell + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 64.8% | Roswell + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Roswell
$662,209
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Roswell
71.2%
Roswell +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $662,209 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 71.2% | Roswell + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Roswell
392
Roswell +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Roswell
1752
Roswell +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Roswell + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Roswell + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Roswell
24.6%
Roswell +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Roswell
9.1%
Roswell +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Roswell
13.8%
Roswell +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Roswell
9.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Roswell
17.4%
Roswell +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Roswell
8.3%
Roswell +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 24.6% | Roswell + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.1% | Roswell + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 13.8% | Roswell + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 17.4% | Roswell + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.3% | Roswell + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Roswell
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Roswell
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Roswell
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
Roswell
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Roswell
29.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Roswell, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 29.6 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Roswell leads in median household income at $124,422, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Roswell is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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, Roswell scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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