Livonia MI 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)
Livonia, MI
Michigan · Population: 94,058
- Median HH Income$96,317
- Median Home Price$314,705
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+40.5%
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
Livonia
94,058
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Livonia
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Livonia
45.1
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Livonia
8.2%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Livonia
84.4%
Livonia +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Livonia
4.4%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Livonia
3.7%
Livonia +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Livonia
4.5%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Livonia
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Livonia, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 94,058 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 45.1 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 8.2% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 84.4% | 39.1% | Livonia + |
| Black | 4.4% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.5% | Livonia + |
| Hispanic | 4.5% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Livonia
$96,317
Livonia +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Livonia
$46,588
Livonia +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Livonia
$58,052
Livonia +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Livonia
4.5%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Livonia
40.5%
Livonia +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Livonia, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $96,317 | $62,789 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,588 | $35,740 | Livonia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,052 | $54,550 | Livonia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 4.7% | 15.5% | Livonia + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 40.5% | 28.0% | Livonia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Livonia
$314,705
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Livonia
87.5%
Livonia +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Livonia, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $314,705 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 87.5% | 48.5% | Livonia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Livonia
471
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Livonia
1590
Livonia +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Livonia, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 471 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1590 | 1999 | Livonia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Livonia
29.2%
Livonia +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Livonia
9.9%
Livonia +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Livonia
16.2%
Livonia +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Livonia
4.7%
Livonia +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Livonia
16.8%
Livonia +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Livonia
11.3%
Livonia +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Livonia, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 29.2% | 35.2% | Livonia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 13.2% | Livonia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 17.5% | Livonia + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 4.7% | 15.3% | Livonia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.8% | 19.8% | Livonia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.3% | 14.3% | Livonia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Livonia
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Livonia
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Livonia, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Livonia
10.7 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Livonia
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Livonia, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.7 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Livonia
25.8 min
Livonia +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Livonia, MI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.8 min | 26.8 min | Livonia + |
Which City is Right for You?
Livonia leads in median household income at $96,317, 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 471 in Livonia. 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, Livonia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.2%.
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