Baltimore MD 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)
Baltimore, MD
Maryland · Population: 577,193
- Median HH Income$59,623
- Median Home Price$191,668
- Unemployment6.6%
- Bachelor's+35.4%
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
Baltimore
577,193
Baltimore +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baltimore
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Baltimore
36.1
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Baltimore
8.8%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Baltimore
27.4%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Baltimore
60.0%
Baltimore +
North Charleston
42.2%
Asian
Baltimore
2.5%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Baltimore
7.9%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Baltimore
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 577,193 | 117,460 | Baltimore + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 8.8% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 27.4% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 60.0% | 42.2% | Baltimore + |
| Asian | 2.5% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baltimore
$59,623
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Baltimore
$39,195
Baltimore +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baltimore
$70,886
Baltimore +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Baltimore
6.6%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Baltimore
20.1%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Baltimore
35.4%
Baltimore +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $59,623 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,195 | $35,740 | Baltimore + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $70,886 | $54,550 | Baltimore + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.1% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.4% | 28.0% | Baltimore + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baltimore
$191,668
Baltimore +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Baltimore
47.5%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $191,668 | $313,219 | Baltimore + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.5% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
433
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baltimore
1724
Baltimore +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 433 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1724 | 1999 | Baltimore + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
38.1%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
14.4%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baltimore
18.6%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
10.4%
Baltimore +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.0%
Baltimore +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baltimore
16.1%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.1% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.4% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 15.3% | Baltimore + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.0% | 19.8% | Baltimore + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
55.1°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baltimore
41.9 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baltimore
7.6 µg/m³
Baltimore +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baltimore
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Baltimore + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baltimore
31.6 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while baltimore offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $191,668. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 433 in Baltimore. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Baltimore 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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