New Haven CT vs North Charleston SC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
New Haven, CT
Connecticut · Population: 132,893
- Median HH Income$53,771
- Median Home Price$330,564
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
New Haven
132,893
New Haven +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Haven
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
New Haven
31.9
New Haven +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
New Haven
17.7%
New Haven +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
New Haven
36.8%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
New Haven
30.6%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
New Haven
5.2%
New Haven +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
New Haven
31.2%
New Haven +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
New Haven
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 132,893 | 117,460 | New Haven + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 34.3 | New Haven + |
| Foreign Born | 17.7% | 12.2% | New Haven + |
| White | 36.8% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 30.6% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 5.2% | 3.5% | New Haven + |
| Hispanic | 31.2% | 12.8% | New Haven + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Haven
$53,771
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
New Haven
$34,482
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Haven
$85,393
New Haven +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
New Haven
7.7%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
New Haven
25.0%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Haven
37.7%
New Haven +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $53,771 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,482 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,393 | $54,550 | New Haven + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 28.0% | New Haven + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Haven
$330,564
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
New Haven
28.4%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | New Haven, CT | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $330,564 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 28.4% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
156
New Haven +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Haven
1524
New Haven +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | New Haven, CT | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 156 | 398 | New Haven + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1524 | 1999 | New Haven + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
37.9%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Haven
11.7%
New Haven +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Haven
18.9%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.7%
New Haven +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Haven
14.2%
New Haven +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Haven
13.2%
New Haven +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | New Haven, CT | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 13.2% | New Haven + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.9% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.3% | New Haven + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.8% | New Haven + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.3% | New Haven + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
52.2°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Haven
47.1 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | New Haven, CT | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Haven
7.7 µg/m³
New Haven +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Haven
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Haven, CT | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | New Haven + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New Haven
23.0 min
New Haven +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | New Haven, CT | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.0 min | 26.8 min | New Haven + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, New Haven is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and New Haven has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
Compare More Cities
New Haven, CT vs New York, NYLos Angeles, CA vs New Haven, CTChicago, IL vs New Haven, CTHouston, TX vs New Haven, CTNew Haven, CT vs Phoenix, AZNew Haven, CT vs Philadelphia, PA