Boston MA 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)
Boston, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 663,972
- Median HH Income$94,755
- Median Home Price$793,154
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+54.1%
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
Boston
663,972
Boston +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Boston
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Boston
33.2
Boston +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Boston
27.5%
Boston +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Boston
47.8%
Boston +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Boston
21.5%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Boston
10.0%
Boston +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Boston
18.9%
Boston +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Boston
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 663,972 | 117,460 | Boston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.2 | 34.3 | Boston + |
| Foreign Born | 27.5% | 12.2% | Boston + |
| White | 47.8% | 39.1% | Boston + |
| Black | 21.5% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 10.0% | 3.5% | Boston + |
| Hispanic | 18.9% | 12.8% | Boston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Boston
$94,755
Boston +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Boston
$60,001
Boston +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Boston
$85,405
Boston +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Boston
6.0%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Boston
16.9%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Boston
54.1%
Boston +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $94,755 | $62,789 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Income | $60,001 | $35,740 | Boston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $54,550 | Boston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.9% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 54.1% | 28.0% | Boston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Boston
$793,154
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Boston
35.4%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $793,154 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.4% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
326
Boston +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Boston
1086
Boston +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | Boston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | Boston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
23.4%
Boston +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Boston
8.6%
Boston +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Boston
18.0%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Boston
6.3%
Boston +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Boston
20.7%
North Charleston
19.8%
North Charleston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Boston
10.7%
Boston +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.4% | 35.2% | Boston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.6% | 13.2% | Boston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.3% | 15.3% | Boston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.7% | 19.8% | North Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.7% | 14.3% | Boston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
51.5°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Boston
43.8 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.5°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Boston
7.2 µg/m³
Boston +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Boston
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Boston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Boston
33.1 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Boston, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.1 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Boston leads in median household income at $94,755, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Boston is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Boston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Boston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.4%.
Compare More Cities
Boston, MA vs New York, NYBoston, MA vs Los Angeles, CABoston, MA vs Chicago, ILBoston, MA vs Houston, TXBoston, MA vs Phoenix, AZBoston, MA vs Philadelphia, PA