Arlington 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)
Arlington, TX
Texas · Population: 394,769
- Median HH Income$73,519
- Median Home Price$313,683
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
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
Arlington
394,769
Arlington +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Arlington
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Arlington
33.6
Arlington +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Arlington
21.3%
Arlington +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Arlington
43.2%
Arlington +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Arlington
22.4%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Arlington
7.3%
Arlington +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Arlington
31.0%
Arlington +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Arlington
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 394,769 | 117,460 | Arlington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 34.3 | Arlington + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 12.2% | Arlington + |
| White | 43.2% | 39.1% | Arlington + |
| Black | 22.4% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 7.3% | 3.5% | Arlington + |
| Hispanic | 31.0% | 12.8% | Arlington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Arlington
$73,519
Arlington +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Arlington
$35,226
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Arlington
$63,758
Arlington +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Arlington
5.7%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Arlington
13.1%
Arlington +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Arlington
33.1%
Arlington +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,519 | $62,789 | Arlington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,226 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Arlington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.1% | 15.5% | Arlington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.1% | 28.0% | Arlington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Arlington
$313,683
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Arlington
54.8%
Arlington +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,683 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% | 48.5% | Arlington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
442
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Arlington
2339
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
33.8%
Arlington +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Arlington
12.0%
Arlington +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Arlington
18.2%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Arlington
18.4%
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Arlington
16.0%
Arlington +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Arlington
13.3%
Arlington +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Arlington, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 35.2% | Arlington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 13.2% | Arlington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.2% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 18.4% | 15.3% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.8% | Arlington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.3% | 14.3% | Arlington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
65.4°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Arlington
39.6 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Arlington, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.4°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 39.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Arlington
9.2 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Arlington
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Arlington, 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
Arlington
29.0 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Arlington, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.0 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Arlington leads in median household income at $73,519, 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 Arlington. 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, Arlington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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