Charleston SC vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Wichita
35.7
Wichita +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Wichita
10.0%
Wichita +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Wichita
66.6%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.7 | Wichita + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 10.0% | Wichita + |
| White | 72.9% | 66.6% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 9.7% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Wichita
$63,072
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Wichita
$35,958
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Wichita
30.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $63,072 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $35,958 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.7% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.9% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 30.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Wichita
12.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Wichita
12.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 39.5% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.6% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.7% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 16.3% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Wichita
57.0°F
Wichita +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Wichita
32.6 in
Wichita +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 57.0°F | Wichita + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 32.6 in | Wichita + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Wichita 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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