Norfolk VA 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)
Norfolk, VA
Virginia · Population: 235,037
- Median HH Income$64,017
- Median Home Price$310,519
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+32.7%
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
Norfolk
235,037
Norfolk +
North Charleston
117,460
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norfolk
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
Median Age
Norfolk
32.4
Norfolk +
North Charleston
34.3
Foreign Born
Norfolk
7.7%
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
White
Norfolk
44.0%
Norfolk +
North Charleston
39.1%
Black
Norfolk
39.8%
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Asian
Norfolk
3.7%
Norfolk +
North Charleston
3.5%
Hispanic
Norfolk
9.9%
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spanish at Home
Norfolk
N/A
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 235,037 | 117,460 | Norfolk + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 34.3 | Norfolk + |
| Foreign Born | 7.7% | 12.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 44.0% | 39.1% | Norfolk + |
| Black | 39.8% | 42.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.7% | 3.5% | Norfolk + |
| Hispanic | 9.9% | 12.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norfolk
$64,017
Norfolk +
North Charleston
$62,789
Per Capita Income
Norfolk
$37,433
Norfolk +
North Charleston
$35,740
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norfolk
$69,581
Norfolk +
North Charleston
$54,550
Unemployment Rate
Norfolk
6.1%
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Poverty Rate
Norfolk
17.3%
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Bachelor's Degree+
Norfolk
32.7%
Norfolk +
North Charleston
28.0%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,017 | $62,789 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,433 | $35,740 | Norfolk + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $69,581 | $54,550 | Norfolk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 17.3% | 15.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.7% | 28.0% | Norfolk + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norfolk
$310,519
Norfolk +
North Charleston
$313,219
Homeownership Rate
Norfolk
45.7%
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $310,519 | $313,219 | Norfolk + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.7% | 48.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
240
Norfolk +
North Charleston
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norfolk
1726
Norfolk +
North Charleston
1999
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 240 | 398 | Norfolk + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1726 | 1999 | Norfolk + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
39.9%
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
12.4%
Norfolk +
North Charleston
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norfolk
19.4%
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
10.9%
Norfolk +
North Charleston
15.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
17.1%
Norfolk +
North Charleston
19.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norfolk
13.7%
Norfolk +
North Charleston
14.3%
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.9% | 35.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.4% | 13.2% | Norfolk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.4% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 15.3% | Norfolk + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 19.8% | Norfolk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 14.3% | Norfolk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
60.6°F
North Charleston
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norfolk
50.8 in
North Charleston
N/A
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 60.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norfolk
8.2 µg/m³
Norfolk +
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norfolk
75.0%
North Charleston
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.2 µg/m³ | 8.6 µg/m³ | Norfolk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norfolk
24.4 min
Norfolk +
North Charleston
26.8 min
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | North Charleston, SC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.4 min | 26.8 min | Norfolk + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norfolk leads in median household income at $64,017, while norfolk offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $310,519. On public safety, Norfolk is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Norfolk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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