Charleston SC vs New Haven CT — 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 Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
New Haven
132,893
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
New Haven
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
New Haven
36.8%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
New Haven
30.6%
New Haven +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
New Haven
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 132,893 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 31.9 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 17.7% | New Haven + |
| White | 72.9% | 36.8% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 30.6% | New Haven + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.2% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 31.2% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
New Haven
$53,771
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
New Haven
$34,482
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
New Haven
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
New Haven
25.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
New Haven
37.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $53,771 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $34,482 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $85,393 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.7% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 25.0% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 37.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
New Haven
$330,564
New Haven +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
New Haven
28.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $330,564 | New Haven + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 28.4% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
New Haven
156
New Haven +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
New Haven
37.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
New Haven
11.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
New Haven
18.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
New Haven
14.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
New Haven
13.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 37.9% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.7% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.9% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 14.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 14.2% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 13.2% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
New Haven
52.2°F
New Haven +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
New Haven
47.1 in
New Haven +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 52.2°F | New Haven + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 47.1 in | New Haven + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
New Haven
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Haven, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 23.0 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while new Haven offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $330,564. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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