Los Angeles 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)
Los Angeles, CA
California · Population: 3,857,897
- Median HH Income$80,366
- Median Home Price$956,465
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+37.8%
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
Los Angeles
3,857,897
Los Angeles +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Los Angeles
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Los Angeles
36.9
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Los Angeles
35.8%
Los Angeles +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Los Angeles
37.3%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Los Angeles
8.5%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Los Angeles
12.0%
Los Angeles +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Los Angeles
47.2%
Los Angeles +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Los Angeles
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,857,897 | 117,460 | Los Angeles + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.9 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 35.8% | 12.2% | Los Angeles + |
| White | 37.3% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 8.5% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 12.0% | 3.5% | Los Angeles + |
| Hispanic | 47.2% | 12.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Los Angeles
$80,366
Los Angeles +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Los Angeles
$46,270
Los Angeles +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Los Angeles
$77,230
Los Angeles +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Los Angeles
7.9%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Los Angeles
16.6%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Los Angeles
37.8%
Los Angeles +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $80,366 | $62,789 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Income | $46,270 | $35,740 | Los Angeles + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $54,550 | Los Angeles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.6% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 37.8% | 28.0% | Los Angeles + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Los Angeles
$956,465
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Los Angeles
36.3%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $956,465 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 36.3% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
503
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
2388
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Los Angeles, 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
Los Angeles
27.3%
Los Angeles +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Los Angeles
17.4%
Los Angeles +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
13.2%
Los Angeles +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
15.9%
Los Angeles +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Los Angeles
11.9%
Los Angeles +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 27.3% | 35.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 13.2% | Los Angeles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.5% | Los Angeles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.3% | Los Angeles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.9% | 19.8% | Los Angeles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 14.3% | Los Angeles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
62.6°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Los Angeles
12.8 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 62.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Los Angeles
7.9 µg/m³
Los Angeles +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Los Angeles
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Los Angeles + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Los Angeles
33.8 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 33.8 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Los Angeles leads in median household income at $80,366, 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 Los Angeles. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Los Angeles has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Los Angeles scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.3%.
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