Charleston SC vs Seattle WA — 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%
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Seattle
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Seattle
61.8%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Seattle
6.6%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Seattle
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 741,440 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.5 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 19.9% | Seattle + |
| White | 72.9% | 61.8% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 6.6% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 17.2% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Seattle
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $121,984 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $82,508 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,120 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.2% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 9.9% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 67.5% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Seattle
$871,599
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Seattle
44.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $871,599 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 44.3% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Seattle
383
Seattle +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Seattle
3409
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Seattle + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Seattle
15.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Seattle
19.0%
Seattle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 22.2% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 15.3% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 6.1% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 19.0% | Seattle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Seattle
52.6°F
Seattle +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 52.6°F | Seattle + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 37.5 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Seattle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Seattle
28.8 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Seattle, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 28.8 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Seattle is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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