Charleston SC vs Spokane 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.2 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 6.1% | Spokane + |
| White | 72.9% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 17.4% | 2.7% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 7.8% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Spokane
$65,745
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Spokane
$38,200
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Spokane
14.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Spokane
32.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $65,745 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $38,200 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.0% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 14.6% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 32.6% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Spokane
$400,636
Spokane +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $400,636 | Spokane + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Spokane
10.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Spokane
12.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 35.3% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.3% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.6% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 17.5% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.7% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Spokane
46.1°F
Spokane +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 46.1°F | Spokane + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 17.1 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while spokane offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $400,636. On public safety, Spokane 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 Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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