Madison WI 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)
Madison, WI
Wisconsin · Population: 275,568
- Median HH Income$76,983
- Median Home Price$429,253
- Unemployment2.7%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
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
Madison
275,568
Madison +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Madison
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Madison
31.8
Madison +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Madison
11.6%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Madison
73.0%
Madison +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Madison
7.1%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Madison
8.0%
Madison +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Madison
9.3%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Madison
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 275,568 | 117,460 | Madison + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 34.3 | Madison + |
| Foreign Born | 11.6% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 73.0% | 39.1% | Madison + |
| Black | 7.1% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 8.0% | 3.5% | Madison + |
| Hispanic | 9.3% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Madison
$76,983
Madison +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Madison
$48,557
Madison +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Madison
$61,837
Madison +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Madison
2.7%
Madison +
North Charleston
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Madison
16.2%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Madison
59.2%
Madison +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Madison, WI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $76,983 | $62,789 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,557 | $35,740 | Madison + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $61,837 | $54,550 | Madison + |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.7% | 4.3% | Madison + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.2% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 59.2% | 28.0% | Madison + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Madison
$429,253
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Madison
46.6%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Madison, WI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $429,253 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
309
Madison +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Madison
1392
Madison +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Madison, WI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 309 | 398 | Madison + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1392 | 1999 | Madison + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
32.7%
Madison +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.4%
Madison +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Madison
16.5%
Madison +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Madison
7.9%
Madison +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Madison
20.8%
North Charleston
19.8%
North Charleston +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Madison
10.2%
Madison +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Madison, WI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.7% | 35.2% | Madison + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 7.4% | 13.2% | Madison + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 17.5% | Madison + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 7.9% | 15.3% | Madison + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 20.8% | 19.8% | North Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 14.3% | Madison + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
46.7°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Madison
37.3 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Madison, WI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Madison
9.3 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Madison
55.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Madison, WI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Madison
21.2 min
Madison +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Madison, WI | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.2 min | 26.8 min | Madison + |
Which City is Right for You?
Madison leads in median household income at $76,983, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Madison is safer with a violent crime rate of 309 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. Madison has a lower unemployment rate at 2.7%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Madison scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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