Charleston, SC vs Lancaster, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Charleston
66
#1592 nationally
Lancaster
61.5
#1905 nationally
Charleston leads in walk score (39 vs 29). Charleston leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 30.9 min). Charleston leads in cost of living index (115 vs 126).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Lancaster, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66 (#1592) | 61.5 (#1905) |
| Population | 156,042 | 166,236 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $596,437 | $465,459 |
| Median Household Income | $76,819 | $71,367 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 30.9 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 29 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 22.9 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 126 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.7 | D+32.9 |
D
66 Score
Charleston, SC
Southern charm meets coastal living
Median Home
$596,437
Population
156,042
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southeast
View Charleston, SC →
D-
61.5 Score
Lancaster, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$465,459
Population
166,236
Crime
High
Walk Score
29
Pacific
View Lancaster, CA →
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