Charleston SC vs Vancouver 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Vancouver
70.6%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.5 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 72.9% | 70.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 3.1% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Vancouver
$78,156
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Vancouver
$42,839
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Vancouver
31.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $78,156 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $42,839 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.6% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 31.5% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Vancouver
$510,577
Vancouver +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Vancouver
49.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $510,577 | Vancouver + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 49.9% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Vancouver
9.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Vancouver
9.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Vancouver
11.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 36.2% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.9% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 19.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.4% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.7% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Vancouver
52.1°F
Vancouver +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Vancouver
41.6 in
Vancouver +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 52.1°F | Vancouver + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 41.6 in | Vancouver + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while vancouver offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $510,577. On public safety, Vancouver 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 Vancouver 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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