Cambridge 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)
Cambridge, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 117,794
- Median HH Income$126,469
- Median Home Price$1,041,988
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+80.2%
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
Cambridge
117,794
Cambridge +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cambridge
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Cambridge
30.5
Cambridge +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Cambridge
28.8%
Cambridge +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Cambridge
57.5%
Cambridge +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Cambridge
10.5%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Cambridge
19.7%
Cambridge +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Cambridge
8.9%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Cambridge
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,794 | 117,460 | Cambridge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 30.5 | 34.3 | Cambridge + |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 12.2% | Cambridge + |
| White | 57.5% | 39.1% | Cambridge + |
| Black | 10.5% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 19.7% | 3.5% | Cambridge + |
| Hispanic | 8.9% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cambridge
$126,469
Cambridge +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Cambridge
$76,789
Cambridge +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cambridge
$85,405
Cambridge +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Cambridge
3.4%
Cambridge +
North Charleston
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Cambridge
12.4%
Cambridge +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Cambridge
80.2%
Cambridge +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $126,469 | $62,789 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Income | $76,789 | $35,740 | Cambridge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $54,550 | Cambridge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.3% | Cambridge + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.4% | 15.5% | Cambridge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 80.2% | 28.0% | Cambridge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cambridge
$1,041,988
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Cambridge
33.7%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,041,988 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 33.7% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
326
Cambridge +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cambridge
1086
Cambridge +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | Cambridge + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | Cambridge + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
21.9%
Cambridge +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
5.9%
Cambridge +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cambridge
16.0%
Cambridge +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
3.8%
Cambridge +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
18.5%
Cambridge +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cambridge
7.1%
Cambridge +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 21.9% | 35.2% | Cambridge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 5.9% | 13.2% | Cambridge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 17.5% | Cambridge + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 3.8% | 15.3% | Cambridge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.5% | 19.8% | Cambridge + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 7.1% | 14.3% | Cambridge + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cambridge
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | 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.)
Cambridge
7.2 µg/m³
Cambridge +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cambridge
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Cambridge + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cambridge
28.3 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Cambridge, MA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.3 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Cambridge leads in median household income at $126,469, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Cambridge is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. Cambridge has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Cambridge has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Cambridge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 21.9%.
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