Charleston SC vs New Braunfels TX — 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 Braunfels, TX
Texas · Population: 267
- Median HH Income$74,643
- Median Home Price$352,129
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+1.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
New Braunfels
267
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
New Braunfels
39.4
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
New Braunfels
8.2%
New Braunfels +
White
Charleston
72.9%
New Braunfels
84.3%
New Braunfels +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Charleston +
New Braunfels
0.0%
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
New Braunfels
15.7%
New Braunfels +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
New Braunfels
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 267 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 39.4 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 8.2% | New Braunfels + |
| White | 72.9% | 84.3% | New Braunfels + |
| Black | 17.4% | 0.0% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 0.0% | Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 15.7% | New Braunfels + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
New Braunfels
$74,643
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
New Braunfels
$21,360
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
New Braunfels
$63,758
New Braunfels +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
New Braunfels
N/A
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
New Braunfels
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
New Braunfels
1.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $74,643 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $21,360 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | New Braunfels + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 1.8% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
New Braunfels
$352,129
New Braunfels +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
New Braunfels
90.8%
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $352,129 | New Braunfels + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 90.8% | New Braunfels + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
New Braunfels
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
New Braunfels
2339
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
New Braunfels
34.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
New Braunfels
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
New Braunfels
16.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
New Braunfels
15.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
New Braunfels
19.1%
New Braunfels +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
New Braunfels
11.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 34.6% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.6% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.0% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.2% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 19.1% | New Braunfels + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.0% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Charleston +
New Braunfels
67.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
New Braunfels
34.0 in
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 67.4°F | Charleston + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 34.0 in | New Braunfels + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
New Braunfels
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Charleston +
New Braunfels
55.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
New Braunfels
19.6 min
New Braunfels +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Braunfels, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 19.6 min | New Braunfels + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while new Braunfels offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $352,129. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in New Braunfels. 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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