Charleston SC vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Visalia
135,983
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 135,983 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 72.9% | 36.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 17.1% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Visalia
$70,663
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $70,663 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $26,955 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 11.6% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 20.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 12.4% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Visalia
$397,983
Visalia +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $397,983 | Visalia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Visalia
32.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Visalia
11.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Visalia
13.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Visalia
12.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 32.2% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.2% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.9% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 13.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.8% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Visalia
63.3°F
Visalia +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Visalia
10.9 in
Visalia +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 63.3°F | Visalia + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 10.9 in | Visalia + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 41.6 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while visalia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $397,983. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Visalia. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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