Gresham OR 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)
Gresham, OR
Oregon · Population: 112,818
- Median HH Income$73,608
- Median Home Price$472,119
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+23.6%
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
Gresham
112,818
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gresham
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Gresham
37.2
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Gresham
16.5%
Gresham +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Gresham
67.7%
Gresham +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Gresham
4.4%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Gresham
5.7%
Gresham +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Gresham
21.1%
Gresham +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Gresham
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,818 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 16.5% | 12.2% | Gresham + |
| White | 67.7% | 39.1% | Gresham + |
| Black | 4.4% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 5.7% | 3.5% | Gresham + |
| Hispanic | 21.1% | 12.8% | Gresham + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gresham
$73,608
Gresham +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Gresham
$35,390
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gresham
$63,691
Gresham +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Gresham
5.3%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Gresham
12.7%
Gresham +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Gresham
23.6%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $73,608 | $62,789 | Gresham + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,390 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,691 | $54,550 | Gresham + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.7% | 15.5% | Gresham + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 23.6% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gresham
$472,119
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Gresham
56.1%
Gresham +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Gresham, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,119 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.1% | 48.5% | Gresham + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
355
Gresham +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gresham
3001
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 355 | 398 | Gresham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3001 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
31.2%
Gresham +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.3%
Gresham +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gresham
20.4%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gresham
11.0%
Gresham +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gresham
16.2%
Gresham +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gresham
15.3%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 35.2% | Gresham + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 13.2% | Gresham + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.4% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.0% | 15.3% | Gresham + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 19.8% | Gresham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gresham
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Gresham, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gresham
9.0 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gresham
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.0 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gresham
28.8 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Gresham, OR | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Gresham leads in median household income at $73,608, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Gresham is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. 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, Gresham scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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