North Charleston SC vs Phoenix 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%
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Phoenix
34.8
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Phoenix
53.7%
Phoenix +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Phoenix
7.8%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Phoenix
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 1,624,832 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.8 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 19.0% | Phoenix + |
| White | 39.1% | 53.7% | Phoenix + |
| Black | 42.2% | 7.8% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.9% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 41.8% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Phoenix
5.1%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $77,041 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $40,309 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.1% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.3% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Phoenix
$411,323
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $411,323 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 57.1% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Phoenix
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Phoenix
2150
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Phoenix, 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%
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Phoenix
17.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Phoenix
16.3%
Phoenix +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 32.3% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.8% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.2% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 17.3% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.3% | Phoenix + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.2% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Phoenix
72.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Phoenix
10.8 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Phoenix
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Phoenix
27.7 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Phoenix, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 27.7 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, 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 Phoenix. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
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