Boca Raton FL 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)
Boca Raton, FL
Florida · Population: 98,833
- Median HH Income$102,722
- Median Home Price$562,670
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+60.4%
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
Boca Raton
98,833
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boca Raton
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Boca Raton
45.8
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Boca Raton
20.0%
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Boca Raton
77.2%
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Boca Raton
5.7%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Boca Raton
3.0%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Boca Raton
15.4%
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Boca Raton
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 98,833 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.8 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 20.0% | 12.2% | Boca Raton + |
| White | 77.2% | 39.1% | Boca Raton + |
| Black | 5.7% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.0% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 15.4% | 12.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boca Raton
$102,722
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Boca Raton
$72,542
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boca Raton
$65,328
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Boca Raton
5.9%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Boca Raton
9.4%
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Boca Raton
60.4%
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $102,722 | $62,789 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Income | $72,542 | $35,740 | Boca Raton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $54,550 | Boca Raton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.4% | 15.5% | Boca Raton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 60.4% | 28.0% | Boca Raton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boca Raton
$562,670
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Boca Raton
65.8%
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $562,670 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 65.8% | 48.5% | Boca Raton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
324
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
1453
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Boca Raton + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Boca Raton + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
23.2%
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
10.4%
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boca Raton
14.3%
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
9.7%
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
14.7%
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boca Raton
8.8%
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.2% | 35.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.4% | 13.2% | Boca Raton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.3% | 17.5% | Boca Raton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.3% | Boca Raton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 19.8% | Boca Raton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 14.3% | Boca Raton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boca Raton
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boca Raton
7.2 µg/m³
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boca Raton
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Boca Raton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boca Raton
23.4 min
Boca Raton +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Boca Raton, FL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 26.8 min | Boca Raton + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boca Raton leads in median household income at $102,722, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Boca Raton is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Boca Raton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boca Raton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.2%.
Compare More Cities
Boca Raton, FL vs New York, NYBoca Raton, FL vs Los Angeles, CABoca Raton, FL vs Chicago, ILBoca Raton, FL vs Houston, TXBoca Raton, FL vs Phoenix, AZBoca Raton, FL vs Philadelphia, PA