North Charleston SC vs Palm Bay FL — 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%
Palm Bay, FL
Florida · Population: 125,273
- Median HH Income$67,521
- Median Home Price$304,173
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+22.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Palm Bay
125,273
Palm Bay +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Palm Bay
41.3
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Palm Bay
15.1%
Palm Bay +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Palm Bay
59.2%
Palm Bay +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Palm Bay
19.3%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Palm Bay
2.1%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Palm Bay
19.7%
Palm Bay +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 125,273 | Palm Bay + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 41.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 15.1% | Palm Bay + |
| White | 39.1% | 59.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Black | 42.2% | 19.3% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.1% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 19.7% | Palm Bay + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Palm Bay
$67,521
Palm Bay +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Palm Bay
$34,474
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Palm Bay
$65,328
Palm Bay +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Palm Bay
5.9%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Palm Bay
11.6%
Palm Bay +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
Palm Bay
22.6%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $67,521 | Palm Bay + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $34,474 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Palm Bay + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.6% | Palm Bay + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 22.6% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Palm Bay
$304,173
Palm Bay +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Palm Bay
79.3%
Palm Bay +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $304,173 | Palm Bay + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 79.3% | Palm Bay + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Palm Bay
324
Palm Bay +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Palm Bay
1453
Palm Bay +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Palm Bay + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Palm Bay + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Palm Bay
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Palm Bay
14.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Palm Bay
17.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Palm Bay
14.2%
Palm Bay +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Palm Bay
14.4%
Palm Bay +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Palm Bay
14.5%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 36.5% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.0% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.6% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.2% | Palm Bay + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.4% | Palm Bay + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.5% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Palm Bay
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palm Bay, FL | 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.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Palm Bay
7.2 µg/m³
Palm Bay +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Palm Bay
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Palm Bay + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Palm Bay
29.6 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palm Bay, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 29.6 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palm Bay leads in median household income at $67,521, while palm Bay offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $304,173. On public safety, Palm Bay 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 Palm Bay has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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