Charleston, SC vs Pasadena, 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
Pasadena
61.6
#1898 nationally
Pasadena leads in walk score (69 vs 39). Charleston leads in cost of living index (115 vs 197). Pasadena leads in median household income ($97,818 vs $76,819).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Pasadena, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66 (#1592) | 61.6 (#1898) |
| Population | 156,042 | 133,560 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $596,437 | $1,206,740 |
| Median Household Income | $76,819 | $97,818 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 27.9 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 69 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 13.2 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 197 |
| 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-
61.6 Score
Pasadena, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$1,206,740
Population
133,560
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
69
Pacific
View Pasadena, CA →
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