Allen 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)
Allen, TX
Texas · Population: 107,684
- Median HH Income$129,130
- Median Home Price$502,170
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+56.1%
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
Allen
107,684
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Allen
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Allen
38.5
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Allen
21.9%
Allen +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Allen
55.7%
Allen +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Allen
10.6%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Allen
19.6%
Allen +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Allen
11.8%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Allen
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,684 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.5 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 21.9% | 12.2% | Allen + |
| White | 55.7% | 39.1% | Allen + |
| Black | 10.6% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 19.6% | 3.5% | Allen + |
| Hispanic | 11.8% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Allen
$129,130
Allen +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Allen
$54,853
Allen +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Allen
$63,758
Allen +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Allen
4.3%
North Charleston
4.3%
Tie
Poverty Rate
Allen
4.8%
Allen +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Allen
56.1%
Allen +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Allen, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $129,130 | $62,789 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,853 | $35,740 | Allen + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Allen + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Tie |
| Poverty Rate | 4.8% | 15.5% | Allen + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 56.1% | 28.0% | Allen + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Allen
$502,170
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Allen
69.8%
Allen +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Allen, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $502,170 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 69.8% | 48.5% | Allen + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
442
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Allen
2339
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Allen, 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
Allen
31.7%
Allen +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.3%
Allen +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Allen
14.6%
Allen +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Allen
8.9%
Allen +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Allen
17.4%
Allen +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Allen
9.2%
Allen +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Allen, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.7% | 35.2% | Allen + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 13.2% | Allen + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.6% | 17.5% | Allen + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.9% | 15.3% | Allen + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.4% | 19.8% | Allen + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.3% | Allen + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
74.6°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Allen
19.5 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Allen, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 74.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 19.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Allen
9.2 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Allen
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Allen, 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
Allen
30.3 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Allen, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.3 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Allen leads in median household income at $129,130, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Allen. 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, Allen scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.7%.
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