Memphis TN 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)
Memphis, TN
Tennessee · Population: 629,063
- Median HH Income$51,211
- Median Home Price$147,306
- Unemployment8.3%
- Bachelor's+28.2%
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
Memphis
629,063
Memphis +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Memphis
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Memphis
34.3
North Charleston
34.3
Tie
Foreign Born
Memphis
7.4%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Memphis
25.0%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
Memphis
62.9%
Memphis +
North Charleston
42.2%
Asian
Memphis
1.7%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
Memphis
10.2%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Memphis
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 629,063 | 117,460 | Memphis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.3 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 25.0% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 62.9% | 42.2% | Memphis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 10.2% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Memphis
$51,211
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
Memphis
$32,314
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Memphis
$59,097
Memphis +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Memphis
8.3%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Memphis
22.5%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Memphis
28.2%
Memphis +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Memphis, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,211 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,314 | $35,740 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,097 | $54,550 | Memphis + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.3% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.5% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.2% | 28.0% | Memphis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Memphis
$147,306
Memphis +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Memphis
46.0%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $147,306 | $313,219 | Memphis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.0% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
639
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Memphis
2350
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 639 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2350 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
42.1%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Memphis
17.6%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Memphis
20.7%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Memphis
14.9%
Memphis +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Memphis
13.5%
Memphis +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Memphis
19.9%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Memphis, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.1% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.6% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.7% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.9% | 15.3% | Memphis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.5% | 19.8% | Memphis + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 19.9% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
60.9°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Memphis
54.9 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Memphis, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 54.9 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Memphis
8.9 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Memphis
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Memphis, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Memphis
22.9 min
Memphis +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Memphis, TN | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.9 min | 26.8 min | Memphis + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while memphis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $147,306. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 639 in Memphis. 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, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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