Charleston, SC vs Modesto, 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
Modesto
64.2
#1712 nationally
Modesto leads in walk score (48 vs 39). Charleston leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 29.4 min). Charleston leads in cost of living index (115 vs 130).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Modesto, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66 (#1592) | 64.2 (#1712) |
| Population | 156,042 | 218,915 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $596,437 | $447,153 |
| Median Household Income | $76,819 | $73,375 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 29.4 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 48 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 18.0 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 130 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.7 | R+11.0 |
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
64.2 Score
Modesto, CA
Growing California city with expanding opportunities
Median Home
$447,153
Population
218,915
Crime
High
Walk Score
48
Pacific
View Modesto, CA →
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