Detroit MI 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)
Detroit, MI
Michigan · Population: 636,644
- Median HH Income$39,575
- Median Home Price$76,488
- Unemployment14.1%
- Bachelor's+17.6%
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
Detroit
636,644
Detroit +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Detroit
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Detroit
35.1
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Detroit
5.9%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Detroit
11.7%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Detroit
76.8%
Detroit +
North Charleston
42.2%
Asian
Detroit
1.6%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Detroit
8.0%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Detroit
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 636,644 | 117,460 | Detroit + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 5.9% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 11.7% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 76.8% | 42.2% | Detroit + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 8.0% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Detroit
$39,575
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Detroit
$24,029
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Detroit
$58,052
Detroit +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Detroit
14.1%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Detroit
31.5%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Detroit
17.6%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,575 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,029 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $54,550 | Detroit + |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.1% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 31.5% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 17.6% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Detroit
$76,488
Detroit +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Detroit
49.7%
Detroit +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Detroit, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $76,488 | $313,219 | Detroit + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 48.5% | Detroit + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
471
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Detroit
1590
Detroit +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Detroit, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Detroit + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
45.6%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Detroit
19.2%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Detroit
22.6%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.6%
Detroit +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Detroit
11.8%
Detroit +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Detroit
21.8%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 45.6% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.2% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.6% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 15.3% | Detroit + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 19.8% | Detroit + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.8% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
50.3°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Detroit
31.3 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Detroit, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Detroit
10.7 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Detroit
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Detroit
27.3 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Detroit, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.3 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while detroit offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $76,488. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Detroit. 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%.
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