Charleston SC vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Sandy
10.3%
Sandy +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Sandy
11.3%
Sandy +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 94,723 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.9 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 10.3% | Sandy + |
| White | 72.9% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 17.4% | 0.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 11.3% | Sandy + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Sandy
$50,592
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Sandy
45.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $50,592 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 45.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $672,082 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Sandy
16.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Sandy
8.7%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.5% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.7% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, SC vs New York, NYCharleston, SC vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, SC vs Chicago, ILCharleston, SC vs Houston, TXCharleston, SC vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, SC vs Philadelphia, PA