Charleston, SC vs Palm Desert, 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
Palm Desert
66
#1595 nationally
Charleston leads in walk score (39 vs 28). Charleston leads in cost of living index (115 vs 136). Palm Desert leads in average commute (22.4 min vs 24.6 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Palm Desert, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66 (#1592) | 66 (#1595) |
| Population | 156,042 | 51,951 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $596,437 | $544,379 |
| Median Household Income | $76,819 | $75,691 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 22.4 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 28 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 8.9 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 136 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.7 | R+1.3 |
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
66 Score
Palm Desert, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$544,379
Population
51,951
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
28
Pacific
View Palm Desert, CA →
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