Berkeley CA 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)
Berkeley, CA
California · Population: 120,223
- Median HH Income$108,558
- Median Home Price$1,451,222
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+75.0%
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
Berkeley
120,223
Berkeley +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Berkeley
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Berkeley
32.9
Berkeley +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Berkeley
21.3%
Berkeley +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Berkeley
54.8%
Berkeley +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Berkeley
7.4%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Berkeley
20.7%
Berkeley +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Berkeley
12.1%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Berkeley
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 120,223 | 117,460 | Berkeley + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.9 | 34.3 | Berkeley + |
| Foreign Born | 21.3% | 12.2% | Berkeley + |
| White | 54.8% | 39.1% | Berkeley + |
| Black | 7.4% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 20.7% | 3.5% | Berkeley + |
| Hispanic | 12.1% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Berkeley
$108,558
Berkeley +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Berkeley
$66,936
Berkeley +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Berkeley
$77,230
Berkeley +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Berkeley
6.0%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Berkeley
16.8%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Berkeley
75.0%
Berkeley +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $108,558 | $62,789 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Income | $66,936 | $35,740 | Berkeley + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $54,550 | Berkeley + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 75.0% | 28.0% | Berkeley + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Berkeley
$1,451,222
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Berkeley
43.3%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,451,222 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 43.3% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
503
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Berkeley
2388
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
22.2%
Berkeley +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
7.4%
Berkeley +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Berkeley
18.1%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
6.1%
Berkeley +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
18.1%
Berkeley +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Berkeley
8.0%
Berkeley +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 35.2% | Berkeley + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.2% | Berkeley + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.1% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 15.3% | Berkeley + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.8% | Berkeley + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.0% | 14.3% | Berkeley + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
58.1°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Berkeley
26.7 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 58.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Berkeley
7.9 µg/m³
Berkeley +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Berkeley
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Berkeley + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Berkeley
32.2 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Berkeley, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.2 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Berkeley leads in median household income at $108,558, 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 503 in Berkeley. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Berkeley has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Berkeley scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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