North Charleston SC vs Paterson NJ — 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%
Paterson, NJ
New Jersey · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$527,542
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Paterson
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Paterson
N/A
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Paterson
N/A
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Paterson
N/A
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
Paterson
N/A
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Paterson
N/A
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Paterson
N/A
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 39.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 42.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Paterson
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Paterson
$77,416
Paterson +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
Paterson
N/A
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Paterson
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,416 | Paterson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Paterson
$527,542
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $527,542 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Paterson
218
Paterson +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Paterson
1426
Paterson +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 218 | Paterson + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1426 | Paterson + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Paterson
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Paterson
16.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Paterson
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Paterson
28.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Paterson
14.3%
Paterson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Paterson
16.4%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 37.5% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 16.1% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.6% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 28.6% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.3% | Paterson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.4% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Paterson
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Paterson, NJ | 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 +
Paterson
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Paterson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Paterson
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Paterson, NJ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Paterson is safer with a violent crime rate of 218 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. 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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