North Charleston SC vs Palmdale CA — 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%
Palmdale, CA
California · Population: 44,998
- Median HH Income$71,979
- Median Home Price$503,393
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+45.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Palmdale
44,998
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Palmdale
57.8
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Palmdale
17.2%
Palmdale +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Palmdale
69.3%
Palmdale +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Palmdale
5.4%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Palmdale
4.5%
Palmdale +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Palmdale
24.3%
Palmdale +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Palmdale
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 44,998 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 57.8 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 17.2% | Palmdale + |
| White | 39.1% | 69.3% | Palmdale + |
| Black | 42.2% | 5.4% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.5% | Palmdale + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 24.3% | Palmdale + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Palmdale
$71,979
Palmdale +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Palmdale
$64,811
Palmdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Palmdale
$77,230
Palmdale +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Palmdale
8.2%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Palmdale
13.7%
Palmdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Palmdale
45.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $71,979 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $64,811 | Palmdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Palmdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 8.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 13.7% | Palmdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 45.1% | Palmdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Palmdale
$503,393
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Palmdale
65.0%
Palmdale +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $503,393 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 65.0% | Palmdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Palmdale
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Palmdale
2388
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Palmdale
30.3%
Palmdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Palmdale
12.8%
Palmdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Palmdale
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Palmdale
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Palmdale
15.8%
Palmdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Palmdale
13.1%
Palmdale +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.3% | Palmdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.8% | Palmdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.6% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.8% | Palmdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.1% | Palmdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Palmdale
63.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Palmdale
7.4 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 7.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Palmdale
7.9 µg/m³
Palmdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Palmdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Palmdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Palmdale
24.1 min
Palmdale +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palmdale, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 24.1 min | Palmdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Palmdale leads in median household income at $71,979, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Palmdale. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Palmdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Palmdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.3%.
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