Charleston SC vs Yonkers 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%
Yonkers, NY
New York · Population: 209,529
- Median HH Income$81,816
- Median Home Price$685,544
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+35.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Yonkers
209,529
Yonkers +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Yonkers
39.0
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Yonkers
32.6%
Yonkers +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Yonkers
38.0%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Yonkers
17.3%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Yonkers
5.1%
Yonkers +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Yonkers
44.4%
Yonkers +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 209,529 | Yonkers + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 39.0 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 32.6% | Yonkers + |
| White | 72.9% | 38.0% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 17.3% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 5.1% | Yonkers + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 44.4% | Yonkers + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Yonkers
$81,816
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Yonkers
$42,770
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Yonkers
$77,425
Yonkers +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Yonkers
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Yonkers
14.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Yonkers
35.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $81,816 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $42,770 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,425 | Yonkers + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 7.4% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 14.7% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 35.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Charleston +
Yonkers
$685,544
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Yonkers
47.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $685,544 | Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 47.2% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Charleston +
Yonkers
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Yonkers
1736
Yonkers +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Yonkers + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Yonkers
29.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Yonkers
12.4%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Yonkers
15.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Yonkers
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Yonkers
14.3%
Yonkers +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Yonkers
11.9%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 29.3% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.4% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 15.2% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 12.7% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 14.3% | Yonkers + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.9% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Yonkers
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Yonkers
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Yonkers, 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
Yonkers
8.1 µg/m³
Yonkers +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Yonkers
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Yonkers + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Yonkers
37.5 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Yonkers, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 37.5 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 Yonkers. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Yonkers 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%.
Compare More Cities
Charleston, SC vs New York, NYCharleston, SC vs Los Angeles, CACharleston, SC vs Chicago, ILCharleston, SC vs Houston, TXCharleston, SC vs Phoenix, AZCharleston, SC vs Philadelphia, PA