North Charleston SC vs Pasadena TX — 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%
Pasadena, TX
Texas · Population: 125,983
- Median HH Income$112,470
- Median Home Price$218,978
- Unemployment3.1%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Pasadena
125,983
Pasadena +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Pasadena
36.5
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Pasadena
19.3%
Pasadena +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Pasadena
45.5%
Pasadena +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Pasadena
18.1%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Pasadena
17.0%
Pasadena +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Pasadena
25.4%
Pasadena +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 125,983 | Pasadena + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.5 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 19.3% | Pasadena + |
| White | 39.1% | 45.5% | Pasadena + |
| Black | 42.2% | 18.1% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 17.0% | Pasadena + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 25.4% | Pasadena + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Pasadena
$112,470
Pasadena +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Pasadena
$49,845
Pasadena +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Pasadena
$63,758
Pasadena +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
Pasadena
3.1%
Pasadena +
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Pasadena
4.2%
Pasadena +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Pasadena
47.4%
Pasadena +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $112,470 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $49,845 | Pasadena + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | Pasadena + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.1% | Pasadena + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 4.2% | Pasadena + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 47.4% | Pasadena + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Pasadena
$218,978
Pasadena +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Pasadena
76.6%
Pasadena +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $218,978 | Pasadena + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 76.6% | Pasadena + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Pasadena
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Pasadena
2339
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Pasadena
39.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Pasadena
14.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Pasadena
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Pasadena
32.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Pasadena
17.1%
Pasadena +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Pasadena
14.6%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 39.1% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.6% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.8% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 32.1% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.1% | Pasadena + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.6% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Pasadena
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Pasadena, TX | 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
North Charleston +
Pasadena
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
Pasadena
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Pasadena
36.1 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Pasadena, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 36.1 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Pasadena leads in median household income at $112,470, while pasadena offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $218,978. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Pasadena. Pasadena has a lower unemployment rate at 3.1%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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