Charleston SC vs San Antonio TX — 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
San Antonio
34.6
San Antonio +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
San Antonio
48.3%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
San Antonio
3.1%
San Antonio +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.6 | San Antonio + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 72.9% | 48.3% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 7.0% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.1% | San Antonio + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
San Antonio
$62,917
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
San Antonio
28.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $62,917 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $32,983 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.8% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 17.1% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
San Antonio
52.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 52.4% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
San Antonio
34.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
San Antonio
17.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
San Antonio
13.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 34.9% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.2% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.2% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 24.5% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.0% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
San Antonio
34.9 in
San Antonio +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 68.5°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 34.9 in | San Antonio + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
San Antonio
26.5 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 26.5 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. 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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