Escondido CA 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)
Escondido, CA
California · Population: 107,066
- Median HH Income$64,484
- Median Home Price$849,335
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+14.7%
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
Escondido
107,066
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Escondido
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Escondido
38.1
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Escondido
49.7%
Escondido +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Escondido
13.7%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Escondido
0.6%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Escondido
29.3%
Escondido +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Escondido
65.1%
Escondido +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Escondido
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 107,066 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.1 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 49.7% | 12.2% | Escondido + |
| White | 13.7% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 0.6% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 29.3% | 3.5% | Escondido + |
| Hispanic | 65.1% | 12.8% | Escondido + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Escondido
$64,484
Escondido +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Escondido
$24,356
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Escondido
$77,230
Escondido +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Escondido
6.4%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Escondido
17.2%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Escondido
14.7%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,484 | $62,789 | Escondido + |
| Per Capita Income | $24,356 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $54,550 | Escondido + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.4% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.2% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 14.7% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Escondido
$849,335
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Escondido
40.1%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $849,335 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 40.1% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
503
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Escondido
2388
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
28.1%
Escondido +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Escondido
11.3%
Escondido +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Escondido
18.0%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Escondido
14.1%
Escondido +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Escondido
16.2%
Escondido +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Escondido
12.2%
Escondido +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Escondido, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 28.1% | 35.2% | Escondido + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.2% | Escondido + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.0% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 15.3% | Escondido + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.8% | Escondido + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 14.3% | Escondido + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Escondido
11.1 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Escondido, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 11.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Escondido
7.9 µg/m³
Escondido +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Escondido
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Escondido, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Escondido + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Escondido
31.6 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Escondido, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 31.6 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Escondido leads in median household income at $64,484, 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 503 in Escondido. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Escondido has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Escondido scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.1%.
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