Charleston SC vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Tucson
34.6
Tucson +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Tucson
58.2%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Tucson
3.1%
Tucson +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.6 | Tucson + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 72.9% | 58.2% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 5.0% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.1% | Tucson + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Tucson
30.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $54,546 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $31,152 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 18.8% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 30.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Tucson
$324,946
Tucson +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Tucson
51.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $324,946 | Tucson + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 51.7% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tucson, 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 +
Tucson
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Tucson
11.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Tucson
12.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 33.5% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.5% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.3% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Tucson
12.2 in
Tucson +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 69.8°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 12.2 in | Tucson + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while tucson offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $324,946. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 450 in Tucson. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Tucson 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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