Charleston, SC vs Downey, 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
Downey
61.3
#1911 nationally
Downey leads in walk score (61 vs 39). Charleston leads in cost of living index (115 vs 165). Charleston leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 31.3 min).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Downey, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66 (#1592) | 61.3 (#1911) |
| Population | 156,042 | 108,816 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $596,437 | $885,146 |
| Median Household Income | $76,819 | $84,236 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 31.3 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 61 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 12.3 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 165 |
| 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-
61.3 Score
Downey, CA
Mid-size California city with community character
Median Home
$885,146
Population
108,816
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
61
Pacific
View Downey, CA →
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