Indianapolis IN 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)
Indianapolis, IN
Indiana · Population: 882,043
- Median HH Income$62,995
- Median Home Price$232,133
- Unemployment5.2%
- Bachelor's+34.2%
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
Indianapolis
882,043
Indianapolis +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Indianapolis
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Indianapolis
34.1
Indianapolis +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Indianapolis
11.6%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Indianapolis
53.6%
Indianapolis +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Indianapolis
28.1%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Indianapolis
4.1%
Indianapolis +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Indianapolis
13.3%
Indianapolis +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Indianapolis
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 882,043 | 117,460 | Indianapolis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.1 | 34.3 | Indianapolis + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 53.6% | 39.1% | Indianapolis + |
| Black | 28.1% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 3.5% | Indianapolis + |
| Hispanic | 13.3% | 12.8% | Indianapolis + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Indianapolis
$62,995
Indianapolis +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Indianapolis
$36,194
Indianapolis +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Indianapolis
$58,697
Indianapolis +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Indianapolis
5.2%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Indianapolis
15.7%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Indianapolis
34.2%
Indianapolis +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,995 | $62,789 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Income | $36,194 | $35,740 | Indianapolis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,697 | $54,550 | Indianapolis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.2% | 28.0% | Indianapolis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Indianapolis
$232,133
Indianapolis +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Indianapolis
55.3%
Indianapolis +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $232,133 | $313,219 | Indianapolis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.3% | 48.5% | Indianapolis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
370
Indianapolis +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
1719
Indianapolis +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 370 | 398 | Indianapolis + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1719 | 1999 | Indianapolis + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Indianapolis
N/A
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Indianapolis
N/A
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 35.2% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 13.2% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.5% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.3% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.3% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Indianapolis
41.8 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Indianapolis
10.1 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Indianapolis
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.1 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Indianapolis
25.8 min
Indianapolis +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Indianapolis, IN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 26.8 min | Indianapolis + |
Which City is Right for You?
Indianapolis leads in median household income at $62,995, while indianapolis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $232,133. On public safety, Indianapolis is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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).
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