Newark NJ 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)
Newark, NJ
New Jersey · Population: 307,188
- Median HH Income$48,416
- Median Home Price$482,675
- Unemployment10.9%
- Bachelor's+17.4%
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
Newark
307,188
Newark +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Newark
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Newark
34.8
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Newark
34.9%
Newark +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Newark
16.5%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Newark
46.7%
Newark +
North Charleston
42.2%
Asian
Newark
1.9%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Newark
37.2%
Newark +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Newark
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 307,188 | 117,460 | Newark + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 34.9% | 12.2% | Newark + |
| White | 16.5% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 46.7% | 42.2% | Newark + |
| Asian | 1.9% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 37.2% | 12.8% | Newark + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Newark
$48,416
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Newark
$25,509
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Newark
$77,416
Newark +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Newark
10.9%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Newark
24.7%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Newark
17.4%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $48,416 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $25,509 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,416 | $54,550 | Newark + |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.9% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.7% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.4% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Newark
$482,675
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Newark
24.1%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $482,675 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 24.1% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
218
Newark +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Newark
1426
Newark +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Newark, NJ | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 218 | 398 | Newark + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1426 | 1999 | Newark + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
35.9%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.6%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Newark
20.0%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Newark
23.4%
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Newark
14.3%
Newark +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Newark
18.2%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.9% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.6% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 15.3% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.8% | Newark + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 18.2% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
54.9°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Newark
46.3 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Newark, NJ | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Newark
8.7 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Newark
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Newark, NJ | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Newark
35.9 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Newark, NJ | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 35.9 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
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, Newark is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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