Charleston, SC vs Waco, TX
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
Waco
77.1
#281 nationally
Charleston leads in median household income ($76,819 vs $47,421). Waco leads in average commute (17.5 min vs 24.6 min). Waco leads in cost of living index (93 vs 115).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Waco, TX |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66 (#1592) | 77.1 (#281) |
| Population | 156,042 | 144,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $596,437 | $197,359 |
| Median Household Income | $76,819 | $47,421 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 17.5 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 35 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 11.7 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 93 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.7 | R+30.9 |
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 →
C+
77.1 Score
Waco, TX
Mid-size Texas city with community character
Median Home
$197,359
Population
144,816
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
35
Southwest
View Waco, TX →
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