Charleston SC vs Westminster CO — 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%
Westminster, CO
Colorado · Population: 115,546
- Median HH Income$96,145
- Median Home Price$528,447
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+44.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Westminster
115,546
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Westminster
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Westminster
37.5
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Westminster
8.2%
Westminster +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Westminster
74.7%
Westminster +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Westminster
1.2%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Westminster
4.7%
Westminster +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Westminster
23.7%
Westminster +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 115,546 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.5 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 8.2% | Westminster + |
| White | 72.9% | 74.7% | Westminster + |
| Black | 17.4% | 1.2% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.7% | Westminster + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 23.7% | Westminster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Westminster
$96,145
Westminster +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Westminster
$51,982
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Westminster
$76,653
Westminster +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Westminster
3.8%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Westminster
7.0%
Westminster +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Westminster
44.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $96,145 | Westminster + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $51,982 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,653 | Westminster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.8% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 7.0% | Westminster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 44.0% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Westminster
$528,447
Westminster +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Westminster
63.7%
Westminster +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $528,447 | Westminster + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 63.7% | Westminster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Westminster
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Westminster
3234
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Westminster
27.7%
Westminster +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Westminster
8.4%
Westminster +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Westminster
16.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Westminster
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Westminster
18.7%
Westminster +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Westminster
11.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 27.7% | Westminster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.4% | Westminster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.1% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.1% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 18.7% | Westminster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.1% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Westminster
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Westminster
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Westminster, CO | 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
Westminster
6.2 µg/m³
Westminster +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Westminster
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Westminster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Westminster
28.6 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Westminster, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 28.6 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Westminster leads in median household income at $96,145, while westminster offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $528,447. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 512 in Westminster. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Westminster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Westminster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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