El Paso TX 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)
El Paso, TX
Texas · Population: 678,147
- Median HH Income$58,734
- Median Home Price$235,994
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
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
El Paso
678,147
El Paso +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
El Paso
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
El Paso
34.1
El Paso +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
El Paso
22.3%
El Paso +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
El Paso
39.3%
El Paso +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
El Paso
3.6%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
El Paso
1.5%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
El Paso
81.3%
El Paso +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
El Paso
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 678,147 | 117,460 | El Paso + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.3 | El Paso + |
| Foreign Born | 22.3% | 12.2% | El Paso + |
| White | 39.3% | 39.1% | El Paso + |
| Black | 3.6% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 1.5% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 81.3% | 12.8% | El Paso + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
El Paso
$58,734
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
El Paso
$28,942
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
El Paso
$63,758
El Paso +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
El Paso
6.2%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
El Paso
18.4%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
El Paso
27.5%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $58,734 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $28,942 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | El Paso + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.2% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.4% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 27.5% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
El Paso
$235,994
El Paso +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
El Paso
60.2%
El Paso +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $235,994 | $313,219 | El Paso + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.2% | 48.5% | El Paso + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
442
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
El Paso
2339
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
33.8%
El Paso +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.4%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
El Paso
17.2%
El Paso +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
El Paso
27.9%
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
El Paso
16.5%
El Paso +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
El Paso
12.2%
El Paso +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | El Paso, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 33.8% | 35.2% | El Paso + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.5% | El Paso + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 27.9% | 15.3% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.5% | 19.8% | El Paso + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.3% | El Paso + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
64.3°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
El Paso
10.5 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | El Paso, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
El Paso
9.2 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
El Paso
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | El Paso, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
El Paso
25.1 min
El Paso +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | El Paso, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.1 min | 26.8 min | El Paso + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while el Paso offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $235,994. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in El Paso. 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, El Paso scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.8%.
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