Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
42.2%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 117,460 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 34.3 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 12.2% | - |
| White | N/A | 39.1% | - |
| Black | N/A | 42.2% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 3.5% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 12.8% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Grand Island +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $62,789 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $35,740 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $54,550 | Grand Island + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 4.3% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 15.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 28.0% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Grand Island +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $313,219 | Grand Island + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 48.5% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Grand Island +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 398 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1999 | Grand Island + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Grand Island +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 13.2% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 17.5% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 15.3% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 19.8% | Grand Island + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 26.8 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Grand Island offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $254,245. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
Compare More Cities
Grand Island, NE vs New York, NYGrand Island, NE vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Grand Island, NEGrand Island, NE vs Houston, TXGrand Island, NE vs Phoenix, AZGrand Island, NE vs Philadelphia, PA