North Charleston SC vs Peoria AZ — 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%
Peoria, AZ
Arizona · Population: 194,338
- Median HH Income$93,403
- Median Home Price$488,428
- Unemployment3.5%
- Bachelor's+35.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Peoria
194,338
Peoria +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Peoria
42.1
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Peoria
11.3%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Peoria
72.6%
Peoria +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Peoria
3.4%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Peoria
5.8%
Peoria +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Peoria
19.7%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 194,338 | Peoria + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 42.1 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 11.3% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 72.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 42.2% | 3.4% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 5.8% | Peoria + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 19.7% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Peoria
$93,403
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Peoria
$45,831
Peoria +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Peoria
$59,120
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
Peoria
3.5%
Peoria +
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Peoria
8.4%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Peoria
35.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $93,403 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $45,831 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.5% | Peoria + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 8.4% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 35.5% | Peoria + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Peoria
$488,428
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Peoria
75.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $488,428 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 75.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Peoria
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Peoria
2150
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Peoria
29.5%
Peoria +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Peoria
10.5%
Peoria +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Peoria
14.5%
Peoria +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Peoria
10.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Peoria
15.7%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Peoria
10.6%
Peoria +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 29.5% | Peoria + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.5% | Peoria + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 14.5% | Peoria + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.7% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 10.6% | Peoria + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, AZ | 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
Peoria
7.1 µg/m³
Peoria +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Peoria
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Peoria + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Peoria
31.2 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 31.2 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $93,403, 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 450 in Peoria. Peoria has a lower unemployment rate at 3.5%, and Peoria has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Peoria scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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