Houston 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)
Houston, TX
Texas · Population: 2,300,419
- Median HH Income$62,894
- Median Home Price$265,062
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+36.0%
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
Houston
2,300,419
Houston +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Houston
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Houston
34.3
North Charleston
34.3
Tie
Foreign Born
Houston
28.8%
Houston +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Houston
35.5%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Houston
22.9%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Houston
6.9%
Houston +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Houston
44.1%
Houston +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Houston
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,300,419 | 117,460 | Houston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.3 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 28.8% | 12.2% | Houston + |
| White | 35.5% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 22.9% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 6.9% | 3.5% | Houston + |
| Hispanic | 44.1% | 12.8% | Houston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Houston
$62,894
Houston +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Houston
$41,142
Houston +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Houston
$63,758
Houston +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Houston
6.7%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Houston
19.7%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Houston
36.0%
Houston +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,894 | $62,789 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,142 | $35,740 | Houston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $63,758 | $54,550 | Houston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.7% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 36.0% | 28.0% | Houston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Houston
$265,062
Houston +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Houston
42.0%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $265,062 | $313,219 | Houston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.0% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
442
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Houston
2339
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 442 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2339 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
38.0%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.9%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Houston
17.1%
Houston +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Houston
24.0%
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Houston
16.7%
Houston +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Houston
13.6%
Houston +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 38.0% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.1% | 17.5% | Houston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 24.0% | 15.3% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 19.8% | Houston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 14.3% | Houston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Houston
48.7 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Houston
9.2 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Houston
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Houston
29.6 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Houston, TX | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.6 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Houston leads in median household income at $62,894, while houston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,062. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Houston. 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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