Glendale 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)
Glendale, CA
California · Population: 192,270
- Median HH Income$84,262
- Median Home Price$1,205,826
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.5%
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
Glendale
192,270
Glendale +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
41.4
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Glendale
51.0%
Glendale +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Glendale
67.4%
Glendale +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Glendale
1.7%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Glendale
13.3%
Glendale +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Glendale
18.5%
Glendale +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 192,270 | 117,460 | Glendale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 41.4 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 51.0% | 12.2% | Glendale + |
| White | 67.4% | 39.1% | Glendale + |
| Black | 1.7% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 13.3% | 3.5% | Glendale + |
| Hispanic | 18.5% | 12.8% | Glendale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Glendale
$84,262
Glendale +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$46,597
Glendale +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$77,230
Glendale +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
8.2%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Glendale
13.4%
Glendale +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
45.5%
Glendale +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $84,262 | $62,789 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,597 | $35,740 | Glendale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $54,550 | Glendale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.4% | 15.5% | Glendale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 45.5% | 28.0% | Glendale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$1,205,826
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
35.3%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,205,826 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 35.3% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
503
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2388
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Glendale, 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
Glendale
24.5%
Glendale +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
10.9%
Glendale +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.4%
Glendale +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
6.8%
Glendale +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.6%
Glendale +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.5%
Glendale +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Glendale, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.5% | 35.2% | Glendale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 13.2% | Glendale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.5% | Glendale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.8% | 15.3% | Glendale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 19.8% | Glendale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.3% | Glendale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
64.1°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
17.3 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Glendale, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.9 µg/m³
Glendale +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Glendale, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Glendale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
30.2 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Glendale, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.2 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Glendale leads in median household income at $84,262, 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 Glendale. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.5%.
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