Grand Prairie TX 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 Prairie, TX

Texas · Population: 198,564

  • Median HH Income$78,889
  • Median Home Price$318,759
  • Unemployment5.1%
  • Bachelor's+29.0%

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 Prairie
198,564
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Prairie
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Grand Prairie
33.5
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Grand Prairie
23.7%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Grand Prairie
32.9%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Grand Prairie
24.6%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Grand Prairie
6.5%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Grand Prairie
47.2%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Grand Prairie
N/A
North Charleston
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Grand Prairie
$78,889
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Grand Prairie
$34,348
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Prairie
$63,758
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Grand Prairie
5.1%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Grand Prairie
12.0%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Prairie
29.0%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
28.0%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Prairie
$318,759
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Prairie
57.9%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
48.5%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
442
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
2339
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
35.8%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.5%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Prairie
17.6%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
22.3%
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
16.4%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Prairie
12.9%
Grand Prairie +
North Charleston
14.3%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Prairie
N/A
North Charleston
N/A

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Prairie
9.2 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Prairie
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Prairie
30.5 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +

Which City is Right for You?

Grand Prairie leads in median household income at $78,889, 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 442 in Grand Prairie. 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%.

Compare More Cities

About Grand Prairie & North Charleston