A quick read on this comparison

Deterministic summaries based on the data in view.

Best for affordability: Houston, Texas

Houston, Texas looks like the easiest place here to live with less financial drag. It comes out ahead on rent burden and tax burden.

Biggest tradeoff: New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana is the sharpest split in this comparison: strong on daily convenience, weaker on safety.

Potential dealbreaker: New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana needs a closer look before you get too attached, especially on rent burden.

Comparison Matrix

City	Charleston View Map	Houston View Map	New Orleans View Map
Route	Get Directions
General Info
Population	149,960	2,296,253	380,408
Population Density	N/A	3.6k /sq mi	2.2k /sq mi
Elevation	20 ft(6 m)	39 ft(12 m)	0 ft(0 m)
Housing & Wealth
Median Home	$572,367	$260,121	$236,241
Median Rent	$2,072	$1,528	$1,627
Median Income	$83,891	$60,440	$51,116
Rent Burden	30%	30%	38%
Climate & Risks
Sunny Days	321 days/yr	276 days/yr	319 days/yr
Avg. High	74°F	79°F	77°F
Comfort Score	85/100Excellent	69/100Good	82/100Great
Temp Swing	28°F	30°F	27°F
Annual Rainfall	52"(132 cm)	76"(193 cm)	70"(178 cm)
Annual Snowfall	0"(0 cm)	0"(0 cm)	0"(0 cm)
Air Quality	AQI 45 (Avg)26 days > 100	AQI 54 (Avg)51 days > 100	AQI 46 (Avg)57 days > 100
Infrastructure & Lifestyle
Walk Score	95	84	97
Transit Score	35	88	84
Safety Score	69 / 100	37 / 100	32 / 100
School Rating	6.1/10	8.1/10	7.2/10
Flood Risk (FEMA)	N/A	minimalMinimal Risk	moderateModerate Risk
Fire Risk (FEMA)	N/A	minimalMinimal	minimalMinimal
Internet Access	Fiber: 39%Cable: 93%	Fiber: 61%Cable: 98%	Fiber: 31%Cable: 100%
Demographics
Median Age	36.3 years	33.9 years	37.9 years
College Educated	57%	35%	41%
Remote Workers	15%	10%	11%
Nature Access
Local Nature & Reserves	Finding...	Finding...	Finding...
Explore Your Move
Next StepsResources to help you plan your relocation or scouting trip.	Local Real Estate ExpertAD Your Name HereClaim this exclusive city Book a Scouting Trip Estimate Moving Costs	Local Real Estate ExpertAD Your Name HereClaim this exclusive city Book a Scouting Trip Estimate Moving Costs	Local Real Estate ExpertAD Your Name HereClaim this exclusive city Book a Scouting Trip Estimate Moving Costs

Latest Editorial

New from WhyThere.

Essays and data-led lenses on climate, cost, geography, and the shape of daily life.

View All Editorial

Climate Mechanics

The Altitude Hack: How Some Sunny Cities Stay Strangely Mild

Quito, Mexico City, Medellín, and a handful of highland cities feel cooler and steadier than their latitude suggests. Altitude is the trick.

Read Comparison

Climate Reality

Rainier Than Their Reputation: The Sunny Cities That Quietly Out-Rain Seattle

Charleston, Houston, and New Orleans are not famous for drizzle. But by annual rainfall totals, they quietly outrun Seattle while keeping much brighter personalities.

Read Comparison