Charleston SC vs Concord NC — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 152,014
- Median HH Income$90,038
- Median Home Price$593,739
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+57.7%
Concord, NC
North Carolina · Population: 106,518
- Median HH Income$84,752
- Median Home Price$384,688
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+41.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Concord
106,518
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Concord
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Charleston +
Concord
36.2
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Concord
12.5%
Concord +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Charleston +
Concord
54.7%
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Concord
22.1%
Concord +
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Concord
6.7%
Concord +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Concord
15.8%
Concord +
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Concord
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 106,518 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 36.2 | Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 12.5% | Concord + |
| White | 72.9% | 54.7% | Charleston + |
| Black | 17.4% | 22.1% | Concord + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 6.7% | Concord + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 15.8% | Concord + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Concord
$84,752
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Concord
$40,763
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Concord
$59,120
Concord +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Concord
4.8%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Concord
8.6%
Concord +
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Concord
41.7%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $84,752 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $40,763 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Concord + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 4.8% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 8.6% | Concord + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 41.7% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Concord
$384,688
Concord +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Concord
66.4%
Concord +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $384,688 | Concord + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 66.4% | Concord + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Concord
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Concord
1999
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Concord
33.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Concord
10.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Charleston +
Concord
16.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Charleston +
Concord
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Concord
15.2%
Concord +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Concord
12.5%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 33.5% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 10.6% | Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 16.6% | Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 10.5% | Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 15.2% | Concord + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 12.5% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Concord
60.4°F
Concord +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Concord
45.9 in
Concord +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 60.4°F | Concord + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 45.9 in | Concord + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Charleston +
Concord
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Concord
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Charleston +
Concord
29.7 min
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Concord, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 29.7 min | Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while concord offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $384,688. On public safety, Concord is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.7%.
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