Huntsville AL 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)
Huntsville, AL
Alabama · Population: 218,814
- Median HH Income$70,778
- Median Home Price$288,707
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+46.2%
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
Huntsville
218,814
Huntsville +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Huntsville
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Huntsville
36.4
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Huntsville
6.6%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Huntsville
58.4%
Huntsville +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Huntsville
29.7%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Huntsville
2.0%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Huntsville
8.1%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Huntsville
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 218,814 | 117,460 | Huntsville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.4 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 58.4% | 39.1% | Huntsville + |
| Black | 29.7% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 2.0% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 8.1% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Huntsville
$70,778
Huntsville +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Huntsville
$44,733
Huntsville +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Huntsville
$51,690
North Charleston
$54,550
North Charleston +
Unemployment Rate
Huntsville
4.3%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Huntsville
13.8%
Huntsville +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Huntsville
46.2%
Huntsville +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $70,778 | $62,789 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,733 | $35,740 | Huntsville + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $51,690 | $54,550 | North Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 13.8% | 15.5% | Huntsville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 46.2% | 28.0% | Huntsville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Huntsville
$288,707
Huntsville +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Huntsville
58.1%
Huntsville +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $288,707 | $313,219 | Huntsville + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.1% | 48.5% | Huntsville + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
400
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Huntsville
1734
Huntsville +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 400 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1734 | 1999 | Huntsville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
40.7%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.7%
Huntsville +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Huntsville
16.4%
Huntsville +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
9.6%
Huntsville +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
14.2%
Huntsville +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Huntsville
12.6%
Huntsville +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.7% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 13.2% | Huntsville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 17.5% | Huntsville + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 15.3% | Huntsville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 14.2% | 19.8% | Huntsville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 14.3% | Huntsville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
62.1°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Huntsville
54.3 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Huntsville
8.8 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Huntsville
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.8 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Huntsville
21.0 min
Huntsville +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Huntsville, AL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.0 min | 26.8 min | Huntsville + |
Which City is Right for You?
Huntsville leads in median household income at $70,778, while huntsville offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $288,707. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 400 in Huntsville. 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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