Charleston SC vs New York 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
New York
8,516,202
New York +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
New York
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
New York
38.0
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
New York
36.5%
New York +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
New York
35.9%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
New York
22.7%
New York +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
New York
14.6%
New York +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
New York
28.4%
New York +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
New York
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 8,516,202 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 38.0 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 36.5% | New York + |
| White | 72.9% | 35.9% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 22.7% | New York + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 14.6% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 28.4% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
New York
$79,713
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
New York
$50,776
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
New York
$77,425
New York +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
New York
7.7%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
New York
17.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
New York
41.0%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $79,713 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $50,776 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,425 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.7% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 17.4% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 41.0% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
New York
$816,078
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
New York
32.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $816,078 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 32.8% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
New York
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
New York
1736
New York +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
New York
25.1%
New York +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
New York
11.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
New York
15.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
New York
10.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
New York
16.9%
New York +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
New York
11.4%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 25.1% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.9% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 15.4% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.6% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.9% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.4% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
New York
55.4°F
New York +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
New York
46.6 in
New York +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 55.4°F | New York + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 46.6 in | New York + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
New York
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
New York
44.2 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | New York, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 44.2 min | Charleston + |
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 York. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and New York has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, New York scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.1%.
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