Charleston, SC vs Long Beach, 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
Long Beach
62.3
#1863 nationally
Long Beach leads in walk score (67 vs 39). Charleston leads in school rating (6.8 vs 5.2). Charleston leads in cost of living index (115 vs 142).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Long Beach, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66 (#1592) | 62.3 (#1863) |
| Population | 156,042 | 466,742 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $596,437 | $860,012 |
| Median Household Income | $76,819 | $69,471 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 28.4 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 67 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 6.8 | 5.2 |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 142 |
| 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-
62.3 Score
Long Beach, CA
Aquatic playground of Southern California
Median Home
$860,012
Population
466,742
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Long Beach, CA →
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