Charlotte NC 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)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
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
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 117,460 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 12.2% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 39.1% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 3.5% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 12.8% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $62,789 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $35,740 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $54,550 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 15.5% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 28.0% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 48.5% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
North Charleston
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
North Charleston
1999
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | North Charleston, SC | 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
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 35.2% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 13.2% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.5% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 15.3% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 19.8% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 14.3% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Charlotte +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 26.8 min | Charlotte + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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