Charleston SC vs Schenectady 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%
Schenectady, NY
New York · Population: 28,542
- Median HH Income$100,485
- Median Home Price$321,835
- Unemployment2.3%
- Bachelor's+58.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Schenectady
28,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Schenectady
42.3
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Schenectady
6.8%
Schenectady +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Schenectady
86.7%
Schenectady +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Schenectady
3.1%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Schenectady
3.0%
Schenectady +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Charleston +
Schenectady
4.7%
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 28,542 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 42.3 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 6.8% | Schenectady + |
| White | 72.9% | 86.7% | Schenectady + |
| Black | 17.4% | 3.1% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.0% | Schenectady + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 4.7% | Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Schenectady
$100,485
Schenectady +
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Schenectady
$62,931
Schenectady +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Schenectady
$77,425
Schenectady +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Schenectady
2.3%
Schenectady +
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Schenectady
10.3%
Schenectady +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Schenectady
58.8%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $100,485 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $62,931 | Schenectady + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,425 | Schenectady + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 2.3% | Schenectady + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 10.3% | Schenectady + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 58.8% | Schenectady + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Schenectady
$321,835
Schenectady +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Schenectady
57.5%
Schenectady +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $321,835 | Schenectady + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 57.5% | Schenectady + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Schenectady
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Schenectady
1736
Schenectady +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Schenectady + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Schenectady
38.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Schenectady
12.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Schenectady
19.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Schenectady
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Schenectady
15.2%
Schenectady +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Schenectady
16.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 38.6% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.3% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 19.2% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 9.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.2% | Schenectady + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 16.9% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Schenectady
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Schenectady
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Schenectady, 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
Schenectady
8.1 µg/m³
Schenectady +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Schenectady
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Schenectady + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Schenectady
26.2 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Schenectady, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 26.2 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Schenectady leads in median household income at $100,485, while schenectady offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $321,835. On public safety, Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Schenectady. Schenectady has a lower unemployment rate at 2.3%, and Schenectady 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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