Anchorage AK 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)
Anchorage, AK
Alaska · Population: 289,069
- Median HH Income$98,152
- Median Home Price$414,014
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+37.7%
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
Anchorage
289,069
Anchorage +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Anchorage
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Anchorage
34.9
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Anchorage
10.9%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Anchorage
58.3%
Anchorage +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Anchorage
5.3%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Anchorage
9.8%
Anchorage +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Anchorage
9.3%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Anchorage
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 289,069 | 117,460 | Anchorage + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 10.9% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 58.3% | 39.1% | Anchorage + |
| Black | 5.3% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 9.8% | 3.5% | Anchorage + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Anchorage
$98,152
Anchorage +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Anchorage
$49,338
Anchorage +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Anchorage
$69,233
Anchorage +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Anchorage
4.6%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Anchorage
9.3%
Anchorage +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Anchorage
37.7%
Anchorage +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,152 | $62,789 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,338 | $35,740 | Anchorage + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,233 | $54,550 | Anchorage + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.3% | 15.5% | Anchorage + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.7% | 28.0% | Anchorage + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Anchorage
$414,014
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Anchorage
63.7%
Anchorage +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $414,014 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.7% | 48.5% | Anchorage + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
780
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Anchorage
1849
Anchorage +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 780 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1849 | 1999 | Anchorage + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
35.2%
North Charleston
35.2%
Tie
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.0%
Anchorage +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Anchorage
16.4%
Anchorage +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
9.7%
Anchorage +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
18.0%
Anchorage +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Anchorage
14.4%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 35.2% | Tie |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.0% | 13.2% | Anchorage + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.5% | Anchorage + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.3% | Anchorage + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.0% | 19.8% | Anchorage + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
37.0°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Anchorage
16.7 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 16.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Anchorage
7.6 µg/m³
Anchorage +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Anchorage
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Anchorage + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Anchorage
20.4 min
Anchorage +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.4 min | 26.8 min | Anchorage + |
Which City is Right for You?
Anchorage leads in median household income at $98,152, 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 780 in Anchorage. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Anchorage has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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