Charleston, SC vs Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
60.9
#1917 nationally
Los Angeles leads in walk score (68 vs 39). Charleston leads in cost of living index (115 vs 173). Charleston leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 31.4 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66 (#1592) | 60.9 (#1917) |
| Population | 156,042 | 3,822,238 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $596,437 | $946,268 |
| Median Household Income | $76,819 | $74,891 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 31.4 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 68 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | Moderate-High |
| School Rating | 6.8 | 5.4 |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 173 |
| 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-
60.9 Score
Los Angeles, CA
Entertainment capital of the world
Median Home
$946,268
Population
3,822,238
Crime
Moderate-High
Schools
C
Pacific
View Los Angeles, CA →
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