Albany GA 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)
Albany, GA
Georgia · Population: 67,939
- Median HH Income$45,201
- Median Home Price$131,279
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.5%
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
Albany
67,939
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Albany
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Albany
35.1
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Albany
1.7%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Albany
18.9%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Albany
76.3%
Albany +
North Charleston
42.2%
Asian
Albany
0.7%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Albany
2.5%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Albany
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 67,939 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 1.7% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 18.9% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 76.3% | 42.2% | Albany + |
| Asian | 0.7% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 2.5% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Albany
$45,201
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Albany
$24,527
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Albany
$57,405
Albany +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Albany
11.5%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Albany
29.2%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Albany
21.5%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,201 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,527 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $54,550 | Albany + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 29.2% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.5% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Albany
$131,279
Albany +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Albany
39.3%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $131,279 | $313,219 | Albany + |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.3% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
392
Albany +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Albany
1752
Albany +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Albany, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 398 | Albany + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 1999 | Albany + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
43.0%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.2%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Albany
20.4%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Albany
16.8%
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Albany
11.1%
Albany +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Albany
19.3%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 43.0% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 15.3% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 19.8% | Albany + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
66.2°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Albany
51.4 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Albany, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Albany
9.8 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Albany
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Albany, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Albany
22.0 min
Albany +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Albany, GA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.8 min | Albany + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while albany offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $131,279. On public safety, Albany is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 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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