High Point NC 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)
High Point, NC
North Carolina · Population: 115,263
- Median HH Income$61,228
- Median Home Price$251,699
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+33.9%
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
High Point
115,263
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
High Point
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
High Point
37.8
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
High Point
46.1%
High Point +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
High Point
32.7%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
High Point
8.2%
High Point +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
High Point
12.3%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
High Point
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,263 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 14.2% | 12.2% | High Point + |
| White | 46.1% | 39.1% | High Point + |
| Black | 32.7% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 8.2% | 3.5% | High Point + |
| Hispanic | 12.3% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
High Point
$61,228
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
High Point
$34,492
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
High Point
$59,120
High Point +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
High Point
5.6%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
High Point
14.7%
High Point +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
High Point
33.9%
High Point +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | High Point, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $61,228 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $34,492 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $54,550 | High Point + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.7% | 15.5% | High Point + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.9% | 28.0% | High Point + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
High Point
$251,699
High Point +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
High Point
58.1%
High Point +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | High Point, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $251,699 | $313,219 | High Point + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 48.5% | High Point + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
398
North Charleston
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
High Point
1999
North Charleston
1999
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
37.7%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.0%
High Point +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
High Point
17.2%
High Point +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
High Point
11.8%
High Point +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
High Point
13.5%
High Point +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
High Point
14.2%
High Point +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | High Point, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.0% | 13.2% | High Point + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.2% | 17.5% | High Point + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 15.3% | High Point + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.8% | High Point + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 14.3% | High Point + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
60.6°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
High Point
46.1 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | High Point, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
High Point
8.7 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
High Point
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | High Point, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
High Point
22.7 min
High Point +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | High Point, NC | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.7 min | 26.8 min | High Point + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while high Point offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,699. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in High Point. 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%.
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