Charleston SC vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Washington
34.9
Washington +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Washington
11.6%
Washington +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.9 | Washington + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 72.9% | 39.1% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 11.6% | Washington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Washington
14.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.5% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 14.5% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Washington
$580,173
Washington +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $580,173 | Washington + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 41.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Washington
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Washington
1999
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Charleston +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Washington
9.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 24.0% | Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.7% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | 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
Charleston +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 32.8 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while washington offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $580,173. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, SC vs New York, NYCharleston, SC vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, SC vs Chicago, ILCharleston, SC vs Houston, TXCharleston, SC vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, SC vs Philadelphia, PA