North Charleston SC vs Philadelphia PA — 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%
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Philadelphia
35.1
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Philadelphia
36.1%
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Philadelphia
39.9%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 1,582,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.1 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 14.6% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 39.1% | 36.1% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 42.2% | 39.9% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 7.8% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 15.2% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Philadelphia
$60,698
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Philadelphia
8.4%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Philadelphia
22.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $60,698 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $37,669 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,080 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 8.4% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 22.0% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 34.6% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $233,814 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 52.3% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 319 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1613 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Philadelphia
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Philadelphia
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Philadelphia
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Philadelphia
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Philadelphia
48.5 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
Philadelphia
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 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 +
Philadelphia
34.5 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Philadelphia, PA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 34.5 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 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).
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