Charleston, SC vs Plainfield, NJ
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
Charleston
66
#1592 nationally
Plainfield
64.6
#1687 nationally
Plainfield leads in walk score (54 vs 39). Charleston leads in average commute (24.6 min vs 30.6 min). Charleston leads in median household income ($76,819 vs $70,712).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Plainfield, NJ |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66 (#1592) | 64.6 (#1687) |
| Population | 156,042 | 54,670 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $596,437 | $521,339 |
| Median Household Income | $76,819 | $70,712 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 30.6 min |
| Walk Score | 39 | 54 |
| Crime Level | Moderate | 11.3 |
| School Rating | 6.8 | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 115 | 122 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | D+5.7 | D+13.9 |
D
66 Score
Charleston, SC
Southern charm meets coastal living
Median Home
$596,437
Population
156,042
Crime
Moderate
Schools
B
Southeast
View Charleston, SC →
D
64.6 Score
Plainfield, NJ
New Jersey community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$521,339
Population
54,670
Crime
Moderate-High
Walk Score
54
Northeast
View Plainfield, NJ →
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