Abilene TX 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)
Abilene, TX
Texas · Population: 127,130
- Median HH Income$62,720
- Median Home Price$214,916
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+27.1%
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
Abilene
127,130
Abilene +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Abilene
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Abilene
32.8
Abilene +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Abilene
7.4%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Abilene
66.6%
Abilene +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Abilene
10.3%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Abilene
2.3%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Abilene
26.9%
Abilene +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Abilene
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 127,130 | 117,460 | Abilene + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.8 | 34.3 | Abilene + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 66.6% | 39.1% | Abilene + |
| Black | 10.3% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 26.9% | 12.8% | Abilene + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Abilene
$62,720
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Abilene
$31,019
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Abilene
$63,758
Abilene +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Abilene
2.7%
Abilene +
North Charleston
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Abilene
14.8%
Abilene +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Abilene
27.1%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,720 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,019 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Abilene + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.3% | Abilene + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.8% | 15.5% | Abilene + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.1% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Abilene
$214,916
Abilene +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Abilene
55.6%
Abilene +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $214,916 | $313,219 | Abilene + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 48.5% | Abilene + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
442
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Abilene
2339
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
35.3%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Abilene
11.9%
Abilene +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Abilene
18.8%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Abilene
17.5%
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Abilene
18.0%
Abilene +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Abilene
13.9%
Abilene +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Abilene, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.2% | Abilene + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.8% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.3% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.8% | Abilene + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 14.3% | Abilene + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
63.9°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Abilene
27.2 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Abilene, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 63.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 27.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Abilene
9.2 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Abilene
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Abilene, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Abilene
16.5 min
Abilene +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Abilene, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 16.5 min | 26.8 min | Abilene + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while abilene offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $214,916. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Abilene. Abilene has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, 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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