New York NY 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 York, NY
New York · Population: 8,516,202
- Median HH Income$79,713
- Median Home Price$816,078
- Unemployment7.7%
- Bachelor's+41.0%
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 York
8,516,202
New York +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New York
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
New York
38.0
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
New York
36.5%
New York +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
New York
35.9%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
New York
22.7%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
New York
14.6%
New York +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
New York
28.4%
New York +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
New York
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 8,516,202 | 117,460 | New York + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 36.5% | 12.2% | New York + |
| White | 35.9% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 22.7% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 14.6% | 3.5% | New York + |
| Hispanic | 28.4% | 12.8% | New York + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New York
$79,713
New York +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
New York
$50,776
New York +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New York
$77,425
New York +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
New York
7.7%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
New York
17.4%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
New York
41.0%
New York +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | New York, NY | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $79,713 | $62,789 | New York + |
| Per Capita Income | $50,776 | $35,740 | New York + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,425 | $54,550 | New York + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.7% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.4% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.0% | 28.0% | New York + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New York
$816,078
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
New York
32.8%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | New York, NY | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $816,078 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 32.8% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
434
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New York
1736
New York +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | New York, NY | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 434 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1736 | 1999 | New York + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
25.1%
New York +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New York
11.9%
New York +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New York
15.4%
New York +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New York
10.6%
New York +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New York
16.9%
New York +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New York
11.4%
New York +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | New York, NY | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 25.1% | 35.2% | New York + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.2% | New York + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.4% | 17.5% | New York + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.6% | 15.3% | New York + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 19.8% | New York + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.3% | New York + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
55.4°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New York
46.6 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | New York, NY | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New York
8.1 µg/m³
New York +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New York
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New York, NY | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | New York + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
New York
44.2 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | New York, NY | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 44.2 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
New York leads in median household income at $79,713, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in New York. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs New York, NYHouston, TX vs New York, NYNew York, NY vs Phoenix, AZNew York, NY vs Philadelphia, PANew York, NY vs San Antonio, TX