Asheville NC 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)
Asheville, NC
North Carolina · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$461,425
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
42.2%
Asian
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 117,460 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 39.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 42.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Asheville
$59,120
Asheville +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $62,789 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,740 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $54,550 | Asheville + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 28.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Asheville
$461,425
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $461,425 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 48.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
398
North Charleston
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Asheville
1999
North Charleston
1999
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
31.5%
Asheville +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Asheville
10.4%
Asheville +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Asheville
15.9%
Asheville +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Asheville
9.2%
Asheville +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Asheville
15.7%
Asheville +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Asheville
12.1%
Asheville +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Asheville, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.5% | 35.2% | Asheville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.2% | Asheville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.9% | 17.5% | Asheville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 15.3% | Asheville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.7% | 19.8% | Asheville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.1% | 14.3% | Asheville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
55.9°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Asheville
45.6 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Asheville, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Asheville
8.7 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Asheville
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Asheville, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Asheville
N/A
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Asheville, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 398 in Asheville. North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Asheville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.5%.
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