Knoxville TN 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)
Knoxville, TN
Tennessee · Population: 193,721
- Median HH Income$50,994
- Median Home Price$371,202
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+33.7%
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
Knoxville
193,721
Knoxville +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Knoxville
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Knoxville
33.3
Knoxville +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Knoxville
7.0%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Knoxville
72.2%
Knoxville +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Knoxville
15.7%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Knoxville
1.6%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Knoxville
7.5%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Knoxville
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 193,721 | 117,460 | Knoxville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 34.3 | Knoxville + |
| Foreign Born | 7.0% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 72.2% | 39.1% | Knoxville + |
| Black | 15.7% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 1.6% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 7.5% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Knoxville
$50,994
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Knoxville
$33,171
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Knoxville
$59,097
Knoxville +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Knoxville
4.4%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Knoxville
20.5%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Knoxville
33.7%
Knoxville +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $50,994 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,171 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $54,550 | Knoxville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.7% | 28.0% | Knoxville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Knoxville
$371,202
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Knoxville
46.6%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $371,202 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
639
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Knoxville
2350
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
36.0%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.6%
Knoxville +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Knoxville
22.0%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
12.9%
Knoxville +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
15.8%
Knoxville +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Knoxville
17.8%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.0% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.2% | Knoxville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 22.0% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.3% | Knoxville + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 19.8% | Knoxville + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
57.8°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Knoxville
51.9 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 51.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Knoxville
8.9 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Knoxville
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Knoxville
22.0 min
Knoxville +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Knoxville, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.0 min | 26.8 min | Knoxville + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Knoxville. 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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