Manchester NH 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)
Manchester, NH
New Hampshire · Population: 115,415
- Median HH Income$77,415
- Median Home Price$441,257
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
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
Manchester
115,415
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Manchester
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Manchester
37.9
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Manchester
14.8%
Manchester +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Manchester
76.7%
Manchester +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Manchester
5.3%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Manchester
4.6%
Manchester +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Manchester
13.5%
Manchester +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Manchester
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 115,415 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 14.8% | 12.2% | Manchester + |
| White | 76.7% | 39.1% | Manchester + |
| Black | 5.3% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 4.6% | 3.5% | Manchester + |
| Hispanic | 13.5% | 12.8% | Manchester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Manchester
$77,415
Manchester +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Manchester
$44,220
Manchester +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Manchester
$75,331
Manchester +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Manchester
3.8%
Manchester +
North Charleston
4.3%
Poverty Rate
Manchester
10.7%
Manchester +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Manchester
33.5%
Manchester +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,415 | $62,789 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Income | $44,220 | $35,740 | Manchester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $75,331 | $54,550 | Manchester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.8% | 4.3% | Manchester + |
| Poverty Rate | 10.7% | 15.5% | Manchester + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.5% | 28.0% | Manchester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Manchester
$441,257
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Manchester
49.3%
Manchester +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $441,257 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.3% | 48.5% | Manchester + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
134
Manchester +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Manchester
1048
Manchester +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Manchester, NH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 134 | 398 | Manchester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1048 | 1999 | Manchester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
35.0%
Manchester +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.4%
Manchester +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Manchester
17.4%
Manchester +
North Charleston
17.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Manchester
9.9%
Manchester +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Manchester
16.4%
Manchester +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Manchester
12.9%
Manchester +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Manchester, NH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.0% | 35.2% | Manchester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.4% | 13.2% | Manchester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.4% | 17.5% | Manchester + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.9% | 15.3% | Manchester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.4% | 19.8% | Manchester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 14.3% | Manchester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
49.2°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Manchester
44.6 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Manchester, NH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 44.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Manchester
5.9 µg/m³
Manchester +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Manchester
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Manchester, NH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 5.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Manchester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Manchester
25.7 min
Manchester +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Manchester, NH | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.7 min | 26.8 min | Manchester + |
Which City is Right for You?
Manchester leads in median household income at $77,415, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Manchester is safer with a violent crime rate of 134 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. Manchester has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Manchester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Manchester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.0%.
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