Lexington KY 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)
Lexington, KY
Kentucky · Population: 321,122
- Median HH Income$67,631
- Median Home Price$332,727
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+47.3%
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
Lexington
321,122
Lexington +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Lexington
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Lexington
35.2
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Lexington
11.0%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Lexington
69.9%
Lexington +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Lexington
14.4%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Lexington
4.2%
Lexington +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Lexington
9.2%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Lexington
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 117,460 | Lexington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 11.0% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 69.9% | 39.1% | Lexington + |
| Black | 14.4% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 4.2% | 3.5% | Lexington + |
| Hispanic | 9.2% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Lexington
$67,631
Lexington +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Lexington
$42,272
Lexington +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Lexington
$52,606
North Charleston
$54,550
North Charleston +
Unemployment Rate
Lexington
5.0%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Lexington
15.7%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Lexington
47.3%
Lexington +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $67,631 | $62,789 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Income | $42,272 | $35,740 | Lexington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $54,550 | North Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.7% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.3% | 28.0% | Lexington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Lexington
$332,727
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Lexington
53.6%
Lexington +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $332,727 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 53.6% | 48.5% | Lexington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
223
Lexington +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Lexington
1505
Lexington +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Lexington, KY | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 398 | Lexington + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1999 | Lexington + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Lexington
N/A
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Lexington
N/A
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Lexington, KY | 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
Lexington
55.6°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Lexington
45.2 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Lexington, KY | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 55.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.2 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Lexington
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Lexington
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Lexington, KY | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Lexington
22.5 min
Lexington +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Lexington, KY | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.5 min | 26.8 min | Lexington + |
Which City is Right for You?
Lexington leads in median household income at $67,631, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Lexington is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 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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