Charleston SC vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Surprise
149,519
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Surprise
2.6%
Surprise +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 149,519 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 41.6 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 72.9% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 17.4% | 4.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.6% | Surprise + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Surprise
$59,120
Surprise +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Surprise
4.2%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $39,604 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Surprise + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.2% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 31.0% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Surprise
$422,520
Surprise +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $422,520 | Surprise + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Surprise
29.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Surprise
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Surprise
10.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 29.4% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.2% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.5% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.4% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 32.8 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, while surprise offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $422,520. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Surprise. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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