Charleston SC vs Rochester 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%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Rochester
8.3%
Rochester +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Rochester
41.5%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Rochester
37.5%
Rochester +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Rochester
3.2%
Rochester +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 8.3% | Rochester + |
| White | 72.9% | 41.5% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 37.5% | Rochester + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.2% | Rochester + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Rochester
29.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $46,628 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $30,451 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.9% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 26.6% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 29.9% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 37.2% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Rochester
10.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 38.0% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 14.3% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 18.8% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.9% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 16.6% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Rochester
48.2°F
Rochester +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Rochester
34.3 in
Rochester +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 48.2°F | Rochester + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 34.3 in | Rochester + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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