2025 Compare Cities Economy:
Santa Monica, CA vs Charleston, SC

Change Cities
Highlights
- Household income in Charleston, is 23% less than it is in Santa Monica and is 10% above the National Average.
- Santa Monica unemployment rate is 7.9%.
- Charleston unemployment rate is 4.0%.
 Santa Monica, CACharleston, SCUnited States
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock4.0%6.0%
 Recent Job Growth  Unlock0.7%1.6%
 Future Job Growth33.0%  Unlock33.5%
 Sales Taxes10.3%  Unlock6.2%
 Income Taxes  Unlock7.0%4.6%
 Income per Cap.$80,830  Unlock$37,638
 Household Income  Unlock$76,556$69,021
 Family Median Income$137,253  Unlock$85,028
 space
 Est. Households By Income
 Santa Monica, CACharleston, SCUnited States
 Income Less Than 15K  Unlock9.1%9.4%
 Income between 15K and 20K2.7%  Unlock3.8%
 Income between 20K and 30K  Unlock5.8%8.1%
 Income between 30K and 40K5.5%  Unlock8.0%
 Income between 40K and 50K  Unlock7.2%7.6%
 Income between 50K and 60K3.7%  Unlock7.2%
 Income between 60K and 75K  Unlock9.6%9.6%
 Income between 75K and 100K9.1%  Unlock12.8%
 Income between 100K and 150K  Unlock18.6%16.3%
 Income between 150K and 200K11.6%  Unlock7.8%
 Income greater than 200K  Unlock11.6%9.5%
 space1
 Population By Occupation
 Santa Monica, CACharleston, SCUnited States
 Management, business, finance30.6%  Unlock16.4%
 Engineering, computers, science  Unlock7.9%6.5%
 Community, social services1.6%  Unlock1.8%
 Legal  Unlock1.8%1.2%
 Education, library5.8%  Unlock6.2%
 Arts, design, media, sports, entertainment  Unlock3.0%2.0%
 Healthcare practitioners and technology6.3%  Unlock6.2%
 Healthcare support  Unlock1.5%3.3%
 Firefighters, law enforcement0.6%  Unlock2.1%
 Food preparation, serving  Unlock6.7%5.4%
 Building maintenance1.2%  Unlock3.6%
 Personal care  Unlock2.4%2.6%
 Sales, office, administrative support15.6%  Unlock20.9%
 Farming, fishing, forestry  Unlock0.2%0.6%
 Construction, extraction, maintenance/repair2.5%  Unlock8.1%
 Production, transportation, material moving  Unlock7.1%13.1%
Reviews for Santa Monica    24 Reviews

I moved here to Santa Monica over 10 years ago from Oklahoma City. I was surprised to see that Oklahoma City was ranked higher than Santa Monica on best places. I  More

   |    Reply

I've lived in Santa Monica for over 30 years. It's a Mediterranean climate--sunny and temperate when the rest of the country is under snow! I am walking distance to  More

   |    Reply

I have lived in this city for 4 decades, and it is never been worse than it is now. It is a dangerous disgusting hell hole. Between the crime, the homeless that are not  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Santa Monica

Reviews for Charleston    76 Reviews

Over 2 years ago

Charleston is beautiful and unique and incredibly special. If you don't believe me, just ask Anthony Bourdain in his Parts Unknown episode - and he was an insightful  More

   |    Reply

Serious lack of health care and "good old boys club" whereby doctors will not even see the patient but diagnose them based on referring doctor. My sister died there for  More

   |    Reply

Over 5 years ago

Boy, has this once beautiful town changed...for the worse! I initially moved here 20 years ago because the people were so nice, no traffic, great choice of hospitals,  More

   |    Reply

Start Your Review of Charleston


Premium Subscription
Includes Cost of Living compares for child care, utilities, transportation, health, taxes, housing for home owners vs renters, weather, insurance premiums and so much more.


The premier source for comprehensive city data for over 30 years.

© Best Places. All rights reserved.