Cincinnati OH 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)
Cincinnati, OH
Ohio · Population: 309,595
- Median HH Income$51,707
- Median Home Price$252,784
- Unemployment6.8%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
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
Cincinnati
309,595
Cincinnati +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cincinnati
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Cincinnati
33.0
Cincinnati +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Cincinnati
7.1%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Cincinnati
49.4%
Cincinnati +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Cincinnati
38.7%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Cincinnati
2.8%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Cincinnati
5.4%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Cincinnati
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 309,595 | 117,460 | Cincinnati + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.3 | Cincinnati + |
| Foreign Born | 7.1% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 49.4% | 39.1% | Cincinnati + |
| Black | 38.7% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 5.4% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cincinnati
$51,707
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Cincinnati
$38,878
Cincinnati +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cincinnati
$58,300
Cincinnati +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Cincinnati
6.8%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Cincinnati
24.5%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cincinnati
41.3%
Cincinnati +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,707 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,878 | $35,740 | Cincinnati + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $54,550 | Cincinnati + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.8% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 24.5% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.3% | 28.0% | Cincinnati + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cincinnati
$252,784
Cincinnati +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Cincinnati
38.9%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $252,784 | $313,219 | Cincinnati + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.9% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
319
Cincinnati +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
1866
Cincinnati +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Cincinnati + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Cincinnati + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
38.3%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
14.1%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cincinnati
19.8%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
9.6%
Cincinnati +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
17.0%
Cincinnati +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cincinnati
16.1%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.3% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.3% | Cincinnati + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.0% | 19.8% | Cincinnati + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
54.2°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cincinnati
47.7 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cincinnati
10.3 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cincinnati
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cincinnati
24.8 min
Cincinnati +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Cincinnati, OH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.8 min | 26.8 min | Cincinnati + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while cincinnati offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $252,784. On public safety, Cincinnati is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. 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, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
Compare More Cities
Cincinnati, OH vs New York, NYCincinnati, OH vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Cincinnati, OHCincinnati, OH vs Houston, TXCincinnati, OH vs Phoenix, AZCincinnati, OH vs Philadelphia, PA