Lancaster CA 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)
Lancaster, CA
California · Population: 170,013
- Median HH Income$76,083
- Median Home Price$466,147
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+20.1%
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
Lancaster
170,013
Lancaster +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lancaster
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Lancaster
34.2
Lancaster +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Lancaster
13.9%
Lancaster +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Lancaster
35.5%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Lancaster
21.4%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Lancaster
4.0%
Lancaster +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Lancaster
45.9%
Lancaster +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Lancaster
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,013 | 117,460 | Lancaster + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 34.3 | Lancaster + |
| Foreign Born | 13.9% | 12.2% | Lancaster + |
| White | 35.5% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 21.4% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 4.0% | 3.5% | Lancaster + |
| Hispanic | 45.9% | 12.8% | Lancaster + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lancaster
$76,083
Lancaster +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Lancaster
$29,766
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lancaster
$77,230
Lancaster +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Lancaster
7.1%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Lancaster
15.5%
Lancaster +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Lancaster
20.1%
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,083 | $62,789 | Lancaster + |
| Per Capita Income | $29,766 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $54,550 | Lancaster + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 15.5% | Lancaster + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 20.1% | 28.0% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lancaster
$466,147
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Lancaster
58.4%
Lancaster +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $466,147 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.4% | 48.5% | Lancaster + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
503
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lancaster
2388
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
30.6%
Lancaster +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.6%
Lancaster +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lancaster
19.3%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
12.9%
Lancaster +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
15.8%
Lancaster +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lancaster
14.0%
Lancaster +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.6% | 35.2% | Lancaster + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.6% | 13.2% | Lancaster + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.3% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.3% | Lancaster + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.8% | 19.8% | Lancaster + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.0% | 14.3% | Lancaster + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
62.1°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lancaster
7.4 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 7.4 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lancaster
7.9 µg/m³
Lancaster +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lancaster
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Lancaster + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lancaster
33.0 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.0 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lancaster leads in median household income at $76,083, 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 503 in Lancaster. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Lancaster has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Lancaster scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.6%.
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