Miami Gardens FL 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)
Miami Gardens, FL
Florida · Population: 11,627
- Median HH Income$137,873
- Median Home Price$472,888
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+64.7%
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
Miami Gardens
11,627
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Miami Gardens
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Miami Gardens
37.7
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
Miami Gardens
29.1%
Miami Gardens +
North Charleston
12.2%
White
Miami Gardens
52.5%
Miami Gardens +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Miami Gardens
15.3%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Miami Gardens
3.5%
Miami Gardens +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Miami Gardens
34.0%
Miami Gardens +
North Charleston
12.8%
Spanish at Home
Miami Gardens
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 11,627 | 117,460 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 29.1% | 12.2% | Miami Gardens + |
| White | 52.5% | 39.1% | Miami Gardens + |
| Black | 15.3% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Hispanic | 34.0% | 12.8% | Miami Gardens + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Miami Gardens
$137,873
Miami Gardens +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Miami Gardens
$57,003
Miami Gardens +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Miami Gardens
$65,328
Miami Gardens +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Miami Gardens
6.5%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Miami Gardens
7.9%
Miami Gardens +
North Charleston
15.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Miami Gardens
64.7%
Miami Gardens +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $137,873 | $62,789 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Income | $57,003 | $35,740 | Miami Gardens + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $54,550 | Miami Gardens + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 7.9% | 15.5% | Miami Gardens + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 64.7% | 28.0% | Miami Gardens + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Miami Gardens
$472,888
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Homeownership Rate
Miami Gardens
86.7%
Miami Gardens +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $472,888 | $313,219 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 86.7% | 48.5% | Miami Gardens + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
324
Miami Gardens +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Miami Gardens
1453
Miami Gardens +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 398 | Miami Gardens + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 1999 | Miami Gardens + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
34.3%
Miami Gardens +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
17.3%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Miami Gardens
17.5%
North Charleston
17.5%
Tie
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
22.4%
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
12.7%
Miami Gardens +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Miami Gardens
15.4%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.3% | 35.2% | Miami Gardens + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.5% | Tie |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 22.4% | 15.3% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 19.8% | Miami Gardens + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Miami Gardens
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | 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.)
Miami Gardens
7.2 µg/m³
Miami Gardens +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Miami Gardens
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Miami Gardens + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Miami Gardens
29.2 min
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
| Metric | Miami Gardens, FL | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 29.2 min | 26.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Miami Gardens leads in median household income at $137,873, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Miami Gardens is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Miami Gardens has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Miami Gardens scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.3%.
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