North Charleston SC vs Orem UT — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
Orem, UT
Utah · Population: 86,973
- Median HH Income$70,053
- Median Home Price$509,396
- Unemployment4.0%
- Bachelor's+25.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Orem
86,973
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Orem
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Orem
33.3
Orem +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Orem
10.5%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Orem
77.1%
Orem +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Orem
1.9%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Orem
1.6%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Orem
30.6%
Orem +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Orem
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 86,973 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.3 | Orem + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 10.5% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 77.1% | Orem + |
| Black | 42.2% | 1.9% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.6% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 30.6% | Orem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Orem
$70,053
Orem +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Orem
$33,579
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Orem
$60,713
Orem +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
Orem
4.0%
Orem +
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Orem
12.7%
Orem +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
Orem
25.6%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $70,053 | Orem + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $33,579 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $60,713 | Orem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.0% | Orem + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 12.7% | Orem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 25.6% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Orem
$509,396
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Orem
60.9%
Orem +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $509,396 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 60.9% | Orem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Orem
245
Orem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Orem
1931
Orem +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Orem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Orem + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Orem
30.3%
Orem +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Orem
7.7%
Orem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Orem
17.1%
Orem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Orem
11.5%
Orem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Orem
8.6%
Orem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Orem
6.5%
Orem +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.3% | Orem + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.7% | Orem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.1% | Orem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.5% | Orem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 8.6% | Orem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 6.5% | Orem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Orem
52.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Orem
13.3 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Orem
7.0 µg/m³
Orem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Orem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Orem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Orem
24.5 min
Orem +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Orem, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 24.5 min | Orem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Orem leads in median household income at $70,053, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Orem is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. Orem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.0%, and Orem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Orem scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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