Charleston SC vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.4 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 72.9% | 61.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Virginia Beach
40.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $47,372 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.3% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 40.4% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Virginia Beach +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $427,121 | Virginia Beach + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Virginia Beach
16.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Virginia Beach
12.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 36.5% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.8% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.7% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.1% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while virginia Beach offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $427,121. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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