Flint 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)
Flint, MI
Michigan · Population: 80,835
- Median HH Income$36,194
- Median Home Price$65,949
- Unemployment17.4%
- Bachelor's+13.1%
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
Flint
80,835
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Flint
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Flint
36.2
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Flint
2.9%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Flint
34.4%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Flint
56.6%
Flint +
North Charleston
42.2%
Asian
Flint
0.6%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Flint
4.5%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Flint
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 80,835 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.2 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 2.9% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 34.4% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 56.6% | 42.2% | Flint + |
| Asian | 0.6% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Flint
$36,194
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Flint
$20,799
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Flint
$58,052
Flint +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Flint
17.4%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Flint
34.4%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Flint
13.1%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Flint, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $36,194 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $20,799 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $54,550 | Flint + |
| Unemployment Rate | 17.4% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 34.4% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 13.1% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Flint
$65,949
Flint +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Flint
54.9%
Flint +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Flint, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $65,949 | $313,219 | Flint + |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 48.5% | Flint + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
471
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Flint
1590
Flint +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Flint, 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 | Flint + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
50.5%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Flint
19.3%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Flint
23.5%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Flint
11.7%
Flint +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Flint
12.2%
Flint +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Flint
25.3%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Flint, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 50.5% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 19.3% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 23.5% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.7% | 15.3% | Flint + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 19.8% | Flint + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 25.3% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
47.0°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Flint
31.7 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Flint, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.0°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 31.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Flint
10.7 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Flint
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Flint, 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
Flint
25.0 min
Flint +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Flint, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.0 min | 26.8 min | Flint + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while flint offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $65,949. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Flint. 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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