North Charleston SC vs Rochester NY — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Rochester, NY
New York · Population: 209,720
- Median HH Income$46,628
- Median Home Price$241,627
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+29.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Rochester
209,720
Rochester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Rochester
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Rochester
33.5
Rochester +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Rochester
8.3%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Rochester
41.5%
Rochester +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Rochester
37.5%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Rochester
3.2%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Rochester
20.0%
Rochester +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Rochester
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 209,720 | Rochester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.5 | Rochester + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 8.3% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 41.5% | Rochester + |
| Black | 42.2% | 37.5% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.2% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 20.0% | Rochester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Rochester
$46,628
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Rochester
$30,451
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Rochester
$77,425
Rochester +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Rochester
7.9%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Rochester
26.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Rochester
29.9%
Rochester +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $46,628 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $30,451 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,425 | Rochester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.9% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 26.6% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 29.9% | Rochester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Rochester
$241,627
Rochester +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Rochester
37.2%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $241,627 | Rochester + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 37.2% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Rochester
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Rochester
1736
Rochester +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Rochester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Rochester
38.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Rochester
14.3%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Rochester
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Rochester
10.9%
Rochester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Rochester
16.3%
Rochester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Rochester
16.6%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 38.0% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.8% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.9% | Rochester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.3% | Rochester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.6% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Rochester
48.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Rochester
34.3 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Rochester
8.1 µg/m³
Rochester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Rochester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Rochester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Rochester
20.6 min
Rochester +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rochester, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 20.6 min | Rochester + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while rochester offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $241,627. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Rochester. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Rochester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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