Charleston SC vs Tempe 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Tempe
60.1%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 72.9% | 60.1% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 7.8% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Tempe
$77,643
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Tempe
$42,371
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Tempe
49.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $77,643 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $42,371 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.7% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 16.2% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 49.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Tempe
$468,328
Tempe +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $468,328 | Tempe + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 41.6% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tempe, 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%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Tempe
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Tempe
10.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Tempe
18.3%
Tempe +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.6% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 18.3% | Tempe + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Tempe
9.3 in
Tempe +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 71.3°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 9.3 in | Tempe + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while tempe offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $468,328. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tempe. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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