Charleston SC vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 72.9% | 70.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 2.7% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
50.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $74,925 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $49,642 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.8% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 13.4% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 50.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Salt Lake City +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $580,126 | Salt Lake City + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 46.8% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 29.5% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.2% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Salt Lake City +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 52.8°F | Salt Lake City + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 16.1 in | Salt Lake City + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while salt Lake City offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,126. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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