Charleston SC vs Tacoma 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Tacoma
59.4%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.3 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 72.9% | 59.4% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 10.5% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Tacoma
$83,857
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Tacoma
$44,756
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Tacoma
12.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Tacoma
33.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $83,857 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $44,756 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.3% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 33.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Tacoma
$496,966
Tacoma +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $496,966 | Tacoma + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Tacoma
10.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Tacoma
9.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Tacoma
11.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 37.3% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.9% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.7% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.3% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.9% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Tacoma
53.5°F
Tacoma +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Tacoma
39.2 in
Tacoma +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 53.5°F | Tacoma + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 39.2 in | Tacoma + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 31.1 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while tacoma offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $496,966. On public safety, Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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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