New Orleans LA 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)
New Orleans, LA
Louisiana · Population: 376,035
- Median HH Income$55,339
- Median Home Price$245,988
- Unemployment7.8%
- Bachelor's+41.9%
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
New Orleans
376,035
New Orleans +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
New Orleans
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
New Orleans
38.4
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Foreign Born
New Orleans
6.6%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
New Orleans
31.6%
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Black
New Orleans
55.2%
New Orleans +
North Charleston
42.2%
Asian
New Orleans
2.8%
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Hispanic
New Orleans
7.9%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
New Orleans
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 376,035 | 117,460 | New Orleans + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 38.4 | 34.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 6.6% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 31.6% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 55.2% | 42.2% | New Orleans + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 7.9% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
New Orleans
$55,339
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Per Capita Income
New Orleans
$39,698
New Orleans +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
New Orleans
$55,297
New Orleans +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
New Orleans
7.8%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
New Orleans
22.6%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
New Orleans
41.9%
New Orleans +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $55,339 | $62,789 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $39,698 | $35,740 | New Orleans + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $54,550 | New Orleans + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.6% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 41.9% | 28.0% | New Orleans + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
New Orleans
$245,988
New Orleans +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
New Orleans
50.5%
New Orleans +
North Charleston
48.5%
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,988 | $313,219 | New Orleans + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.5% | 48.5% | New Orleans + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
643
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
New Orleans
2824
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 398 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1999 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
34.0%
New Orleans +
North Charleston
35.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.1%
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
New Orleans
19.4%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
8.7%
New Orleans +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
19.7%
New Orleans +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
New Orleans
15.5%
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 34.0% | 35.2% | New Orleans + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.7% | 15.3% | New Orleans + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.7% | 19.8% | New Orleans + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 14.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
New Orleans
66.6 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
New Orleans
8.9 µg/m³
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
New Orleans
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | 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
New Orleans
24.6 min
New Orleans +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | New Orleans, LA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.6 min | 26.8 min | New Orleans + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while new Orleans offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,988. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in New Orleans. 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, New Orleans scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.0%.
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