Columbus 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)
Columbus, OH
Ohio · Population: 906,480
- Median HH Income$65,327
- Median Home Price$248,749
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+38.2%
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
Columbus
906,480
Columbus +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
33.0
Columbus +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Columbus
14.4%
Columbus +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Columbus
53.3%
Columbus +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Columbus
29.0%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Columbus
5.8%
Columbus +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Columbus
7.9%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 906,480 | 117,460 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.0 | 34.3 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 14.4% | 12.2% | Columbus + |
| White | 53.3% | 39.1% | Columbus + |
| Black | 29.0% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 5.8% | 3.5% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$65,327
Columbus +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$37,189
Columbus +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$58,300
Columbus +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
5.1%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
17.8%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
38.2%
Columbus +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Columbus, OH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,327 | $62,789 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,189 | $35,740 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $54,550 | Columbus + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.8% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 38.2% | 28.0% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$248,749
Columbus +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
44.3%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $248,749 | $313,219 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
319
Columbus +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1866
Columbus +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Columbus, OH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 398 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1999 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
34.7%
Columbus +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
11.8%
Columbus +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.8%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
9.7%
Columbus +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
18.1%
Columbus +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.2%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Columbus, OH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.7% | 35.2% | Columbus + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 13.2% | Columbus + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.8% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.7% | 15.3% | Columbus + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 18.1% | 19.8% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
40.2 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, OH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 40.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
10.3 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Columbus, 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
Columbus
23.4 min
Columbus +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Columbus, OH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.4 min | 26.8 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Columbus leads in median household income at $65,327, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $248,749. On public safety, Columbus 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, Columbus scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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