Fresno 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)
Fresno, CA
California · Population: 543,615
- Median HH Income$66,804
- Median Home Price$391,442
- Unemployment8.6%
- Bachelor's+24.9%
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
Fresno
543,615
Fresno +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fresno
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Fresno
32.4
Fresno +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Fresno
18.9%
Fresno +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Fresno
38.0%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Fresno
6.7%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Fresno
14.2%
Fresno +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Fresno
50.5%
Fresno +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Fresno
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 543,615 | 117,460 | Fresno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.3 | Fresno + |
| Foreign Born | 18.9% | 12.2% | Fresno + |
| White | 38.0% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 6.7% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 14.2% | 3.5% | Fresno + |
| Hispanic | 50.5% | 12.8% | Fresno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fresno
$66,804
Fresno +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Fresno
$31,012
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fresno
$77,230
Fresno +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Fresno
8.6%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Fresno
20.9%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Fresno
24.9%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Fresno, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $66,804 | $62,789 | Fresno + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,012 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $54,550 | Fresno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.9% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 24.9% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fresno
$391,442
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Fresno
49.7%
Fresno +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $391,442 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.7% | 48.5% | Fresno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
503
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fresno
2388
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Fresno, 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
Fresno
37.5%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fresno
12.7%
Fresno +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fresno
19.1%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fresno
15.3%
North Charleston
15.3%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fresno
14.1%
Fresno +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fresno
13.8%
Fresno +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Fresno, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.5% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.2% | Fresno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.3% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.1% | 19.8% | Fresno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.8% | 14.3% | Fresno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
64.2°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fresno
12.8 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Fresno, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fresno
7.9 µg/m³
Fresno +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fresno
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Fresno, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Fresno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fresno
23.7 min
Fresno +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Fresno, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.7 min | 26.8 min | Fresno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fresno leads in median household income at $66,804, 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 Fresno. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Fresno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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