North Charleston SC vs Peoria IL — 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, IL
Illinois · Population: 11,626
- Median HH Income$83,102
- Median Home Price$132,671
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+27.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Peoria
11,626
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Peoria
33.1
Peoria +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Peoria
12.6%
Peoria +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Peoria
59.6%
Peoria +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Peoria
4.7%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Peoria
1.6%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Peoria
37.0%
Peoria +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Peoria
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 11,626 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.1 | Peoria + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 12.6% | Peoria + |
| White | 39.1% | 59.6% | Peoria + |
| Black | 42.2% | 4.7% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.6% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 37.0% | Peoria + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Peoria
$83,102
Peoria +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Peoria
$33,805
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Peoria
$68,110
Peoria +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Peoria
4.8%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Peoria
8.2%
Peoria +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
Peoria
27.6%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $83,102 | Peoria + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $33,805 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $68,110 | Peoria + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.8% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 8.2% | Peoria + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 27.6% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Peoria
$132,671
Peoria +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Peoria
73.5%
Peoria +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $132,671 | Peoria + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 73.5% | Peoria + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Peoria
344
Peoria +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Peoria
1842
Peoria +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 344 | Peoria + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1842 | Peoria + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Peoria
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Peoria
13.5%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Peoria
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Peoria
9.3%
Peoria +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Peoria
16.2%
Peoria +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Peoria
15.1%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 36.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.5% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.8% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.3% | Peoria + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.2% | Peoria + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.1% | North Charleston + |
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
38.0 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Peoria
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
Peoria
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 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 +
Peoria
34.4 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Peoria, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 34.4 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Peoria leads in median household income at $83,102, while peoria offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $132,671. On public safety, Peoria is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs North Charleston, SCLos Angeles, CA vs North Charleston, SCChicago, IL vs North Charleston, SCHouston, TX vs North Charleston, SCNorth Charleston, SC vs Phoenix, AZNorth Charleston, SC vs Philadelphia, PA