Charleston SC vs Sunnyvale CA — 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%
Sunnyvale, CA
California · Population: 153,455
- Median HH Income$181,862
- Median Home Price$2,144,024
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+69.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Sunnyvale
153,455
Sunnyvale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Sunnyvale
35.1
Sunnyvale +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Sunnyvale
30.4%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Sunnyvale
1.5%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Sunnyvale
49.4%
Sunnyvale +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Sunnyvale
16.7%
Sunnyvale +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 153,455 | Sunnyvale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.1 | Sunnyvale + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| White | 72.9% | 30.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 1.5% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 49.4% | Sunnyvale + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 16.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Sunnyvale
$181,862
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Sunnyvale
$95,752
Sunnyvale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Sunnyvale
$77,230
Sunnyvale +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Sunnyvale
4.1%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Sunnyvale
5.6%
Sunnyvale +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Sunnyvale
69.2%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $181,862 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $95,752 | Sunnyvale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Sunnyvale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.1% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 5.6% | Sunnyvale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 69.2% | Sunnyvale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Sunnyvale
$2,144,024
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Sunnyvale
43.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $2,144,024 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 43.8% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Sunnyvale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Sunnyvale
2388
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Sunnyvale
19.7%
Sunnyvale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Sunnyvale
8.3%
Sunnyvale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Sunnyvale
12.9%
Sunnyvale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Sunnyvale
5.2%
Sunnyvale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Sunnyvale
13.5%
Sunnyvale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Sunnyvale
6.7%
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 19.7% | Sunnyvale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.3% | Sunnyvale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 12.9% | Sunnyvale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 5.2% | Sunnyvale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 13.5% | Sunnyvale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 6.7% | Sunnyvale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Sunnyvale
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Sunnyvale
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sunnyvale, CA | 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
Sunnyvale
7.9 µg/m³
Sunnyvale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Sunnyvale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sunnyvale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Sunnyvale
25.3 min
Sunnyvale +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Sunnyvale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 25.3 min | Sunnyvale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sunnyvale leads in median household income at $181,862, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Sunnyvale. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Sunnyvale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sunnyvale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 19.7%.
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