Charleston SC vs New Bedford MA — 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%
New Bedford, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 100,731
- Median HH Income$56,025
- Median Home Price$439,767
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+16.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
New Bedford
100,731
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
New Bedford
37.0
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
New Bedford
20.7%
New Bedford +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
New Bedford
57.5%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
New Bedford
6.0%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
New Bedford
1.5%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
New Bedford
24.5%
New Bedford +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
New Bedford
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 100,731 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 37.0 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 20.7% | New Bedford + |
| White | 72.9% | 57.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 6.0% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 1.5% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 24.5% | New Bedford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
New Bedford
$56,025
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
New Bedford
$30,475
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
New Bedford
$85,405
New Bedford +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
New Bedford
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
New Bedford
19.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
New Bedford
16.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $56,025 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $30,475 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $85,405 | New Bedford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.6% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 19.9% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 16.8% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
New Bedford
$439,767
New Bedford +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
New Bedford
40.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $439,767 | New Bedford + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 40.0% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
New Bedford
326
New Bedford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
New Bedford
1086
New Bedford +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | New Bedford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | New Bedford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
New Bedford
36.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
New Bedford
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
New Bedford
22.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
New Bedford
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
New Bedford
16.0%
New Bedford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
New Bedford
21.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 36.3% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.2% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 22.0% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 11.1% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.0% | New Bedford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 21.4% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
New Bedford
51.8°F
New Bedford +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Charleston +
New Bedford
51.9 in
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 51.8°F | New Bedford + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 51.9 in | Charleston + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
New Bedford
7.2 µg/m³
New Bedford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
New Bedford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | New Bedford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
New Bedford
27.2 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Bedford, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 27.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while new Bedford offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $439,767. On public safety, New Bedford is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and New Bedford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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