Charleston SC vs Fargo ND — 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%
Fargo, ND
North Dakota · Population: 129,064
- Median HH Income$66,029
- Median Home Price$318,584
- Unemployment3.9%
- Bachelor's+43.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charleston
152,014
Charleston +
Fargo
129,064
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charleston
N/A
Fargo
N/A
Median Age
Charleston
36.1
Fargo
32.2
Fargo +
Foreign Born
Charleston
5.4%
Fargo
9.7%
Fargo +
White
Charleston
72.9%
Fargo
80.8%
Fargo +
Black
Charleston
17.4%
Charleston +
Fargo
8.3%
Asian
Charleston
2.2%
Fargo
3.9%
Fargo +
Hispanic
Charleston
5.9%
Charleston +
Fargo
3.7%
Spanish at Home
Charleston
N/A
Fargo
N/A
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 152,014 | 129,064 | Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 32.2 | Fargo + |
| Foreign Born | 5.4% | 9.7% | Fargo + |
| White | 72.9% | 80.8% | Fargo + |
| Black | 17.4% | 8.3% | Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.2% | 3.9% | Fargo + |
| Hispanic | 5.9% | 3.7% | Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charleston
$90,038
Charleston +
Fargo
$66,029
Per Capita Income
Charleston
$58,583
Charleston +
Fargo
$42,212
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charleston
$54,550
Fargo
$71,089
Fargo +
Unemployment Rate
Charleston
3.4%
Charleston +
Fargo
3.9%
Poverty Rate
Charleston
12.0%
Charleston +
Fargo
12.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charleston
57.7%
Charleston +
Fargo
43.2%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $90,038 | $66,029 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $58,583 | $42,212 | Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $71,089 | Fargo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.4% | 3.9% | Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.0% | 12.8% | Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 57.7% | 43.2% | Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charleston
$593,739
Fargo
$318,584
Fargo +
Homeownership Rate
Charleston
55.6%
Charleston +
Fargo
44.1%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $593,739 | $318,584 | Fargo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.6% | 44.1% | Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
398
Fargo
288
Fargo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charleston
1999
Charleston +
Fargo
2037
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 288 | Fargo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2037 | Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
28.7%
Charleston +
Fargo
34.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Fargo
8.1%
Fargo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charleston
15.1%
Fargo
14.5%
Fargo +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charleston
8.7%
Fargo
6.8%
Fargo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charleston
22.9%
Fargo
21.5%
Fargo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charleston
9.5%
Charleston +
Fargo
11.8%
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.7% | 34.3% | Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 8.1% | Fargo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.1% | 14.5% | Fargo + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 6.8% | Fargo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 22.9% | 21.5% | Fargo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.5% | 11.8% | Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
65.9°F
Fargo
42.4°F
Fargo +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charleston
51.0 in
Fargo
22.6 in
Fargo +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.9°F | 42.4°F | Fargo + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.0 in | 22.6 in | Fargo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Fargo
8.6 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charleston
75.0%
Fargo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charleston
25.4 min
Fargo
17.3 min
Fargo +
| Metric | Charleston, SC | Fargo, ND | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.4 min | 17.3 min | Fargo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charleston leads in median household income at $90,038, while fargo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $318,584. On public safety, Fargo is safer with a violent crime rate of 288 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charleston. Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Fargo 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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