Charleston SC vs Jersey City 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%
Jersey City, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 289,691
- Median HH Income$94,813
- Median Home Price$664,939
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+53.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Jersey City
289,691
Jersey City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Jersey City
34.7
Jersey City +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Jersey City
41.3%
Jersey City +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Jersey City
28.7%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Jersey City
21.4%
Jersey City +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Jersey City
25.8%
Jersey City +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Jersey City
25.7%
Jersey City +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 289,691 | Jersey City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.7 | Jersey City + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 41.3% | Jersey City + |
| White | 72.9% | 28.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 21.4% | Jersey City + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 25.8% | Jersey City + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 25.7% | Jersey City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Jersey City
$94,813
Jersey City +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Jersey City
$57,746
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Jersey City
$77,416
Jersey City +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Jersey City
5.8%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Jersey City
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Jersey City
53.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $94,813 | Jersey City + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $57,746 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,416 | Jersey City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 5.8% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 15.6% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 53.1% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Jersey City
$664,939
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Jersey City
28.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $664,939 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 28.8% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Jersey City
218
Jersey City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Jersey City
1426
Jersey City +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Jersey City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Jersey City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Jersey City
26.2%
Jersey City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Jersey City
9.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Jersey City
14.9%
Jersey City +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Jersey City
12.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Jersey City
16.3%
Jersey City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Jersey City
10.3%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 26.2% | Jersey City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.6% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 14.9% | Jersey City + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.0% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.3% | Jersey City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.3% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Jersey City
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Jersey City
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jersey City, 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 +
Jersey City
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Jersey City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jersey City, 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 +
Jersey City
40.3 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Jersey City, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 40.3 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Jersey City leads in median household income at $94,813, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Jersey City 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, Jersey City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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