Charleston SC vs Elizabeth NJ — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Elizabeth, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 135,887
- Median HH Income$63,874
- Median Home Price$531,592
- Unemployment6.9%
- Bachelor's+14.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Elizabeth
135,887
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Elizabeth
35.8
Elizabeth +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Elizabeth
50.6%
Elizabeth +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
24.8%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
17.1%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
1.8%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Elizabeth
66.8%
Elizabeth +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 135,887 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 35.8 | Elizabeth + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 50.6% | Elizabeth + |
| White | 72.9% | 24.8% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 17.1% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.8% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 66.8% | Elizabeth + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Elizabeth
$63,874
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Elizabeth
$28,490
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Elizabeth
$77,416
Elizabeth +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
6.9%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
15.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
14.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $63,874 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $28,490 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,416 | Elizabeth + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 6.9% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.3% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 14.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Elizabeth
$531,592
Elizabeth +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
25.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $531,592 | Elizabeth + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 25.4% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Elizabeth
218
Elizabeth +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Elizabeth
1426
Elizabeth +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Elizabeth + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Elizabeth + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
34.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
28.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Elizabeth
14.9%
Elizabeth +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Elizabeth
15.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 34.8% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.7% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 17.8% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 28.1% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 14.9% | Elizabeth + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 15.0% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Elizabeth
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Elizabeth
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Elizabeth
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Elizabeth
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Elizabeth
29.3 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Elizabeth, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 29.3 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while elizabeth offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $531,592. On public safety, Elizabeth is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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