Charleston SC vs New Rochelle NY — 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 Rochelle, NY
New York · Population: 48,198
- Median HH Income$48,535
- Median Home Price$920,484
- Unemployment9.7%
- Bachelor's+22.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
New Rochelle
48,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
New Rochelle
40.7
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Charleston +
New Rochelle
4.6%
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
New Rochelle
66.1%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
New Rochelle
17.8%
New Rochelle +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
New Rochelle
2.3%
New Rochelle +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
New Rochelle
8.0%
New Rochelle +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 48,198 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 40.7 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 4.6% | Charleston + |
| White | 72.9% | 66.1% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 17.8% | New Rochelle + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 2.3% | New Rochelle + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 8.0% | New Rochelle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
New Rochelle
$48,535
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
New Rochelle
$30,033
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
New Rochelle
$77,425
New Rochelle +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
New Rochelle
9.7%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
New Rochelle
23.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
New Rochelle
22.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $48,535 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $30,033 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,425 | New Rochelle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 9.7% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 23.7% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 22.8% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
New Rochelle
$920,484
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
New Rochelle
57.5%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $920,484 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 57.5% | New Rochelle + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
New Rochelle
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
New Rochelle
1736
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | New Rochelle + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
New Rochelle
26.6%
New Rochelle +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
New Rochelle
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
New Rochelle
13.8%
New Rochelle +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
New Rochelle
9.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
New Rochelle
14.9%
New Rochelle +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
New Rochelle
9.3%
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 26.6% | New Rochelle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.6% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 13.8% | New Rochelle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.5% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 14.9% | New Rochelle + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 9.3% | New Rochelle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
New Rochelle
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
New Rochelle
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Rochelle, NY | 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
New Rochelle
8.1 µg/m³
New Rochelle +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
New Rochelle
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New Rochelle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
New Rochelle
20.0 min
New Rochelle +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New Rochelle, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 20.0 min | New Rochelle + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $593,739. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New Rochelle. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and New Rochelle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New Rochelle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.6%.
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