Charleston SC vs San Marcos 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 Marcos, TX
Texas · Population: 99,507
- Median HH Income$64,146
- Median Home Price$313,452
- Unemployment3.2%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
San Marcos
99,507
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
San Marcos
35.2
San Marcos +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
San Marcos
5.8%
San Marcos +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
San Marcos
66.6%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
San Marcos
4.3%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
San Marcos
1.4%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
San Marcos
42.2%
San Marcos +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
San Marcos
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 99,507 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.2 | San Marcos + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 5.8% | San Marcos + |
| White | 72.9% | 66.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 4.3% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.4% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 42.2% | San Marcos + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
San Marcos
$64,146
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
San Marcos
$33,835
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
San Marcos
$63,758
San Marcos +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
San Marcos
3.2%
San Marcos +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
San Marcos
11.9%
San Marcos +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
San Marcos
24.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $64,146 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $33,835 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | San Marcos + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.2% | San Marcos + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.9% | San Marcos + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 24.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
San Marcos
$313,452
San Marcos +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
San Marcos
63.3%
San Marcos +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $313,452 | San Marcos + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 63.3% | San Marcos + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
San Marcos
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
San Marcos
2339
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Marcos, 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 Marcos
33.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
San Marcos
7.9%
San Marcos +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
San Marcos
22.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
San Marcos
19.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
San Marcos
19.7%
San Marcos +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
San Marcos
11.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 33.6% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.9% | San Marcos + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 22.3% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 19.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 19.7% | San Marcos + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.0% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
San Marcos
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
San Marcos
35.7 in
San Marcos +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 68.5°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 35.7 in | San Marcos + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
San Marcos
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
San Marcos
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Marcos, 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
San Marcos
19.0 min
San Marcos +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | San Marcos, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 19.0 min | San Marcos + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while san Marcos offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,452. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Marcos. San Marcos has a lower unemployment rate at 3.2%, 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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