North Charleston SC vs Plano TX — 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%
Plano, TX
Texas · Population: 287,339
- Median HH Income$108,649
- Median Home Price$507,575
- Unemployment4.1%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Plano
287,339
Plano +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Plano
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Plano
39.3
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Plano
28.7%
Plano +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Plano
53.2%
Plano +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Plano
9.0%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Plano
22.6%
Plano +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Plano
16.2%
Plano +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 287,339 | Plano + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 39.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 28.7% | Plano + |
| White | 39.1% | 53.2% | Plano + |
| Black | 42.2% | 9.0% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 22.6% | Plano + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 16.2% | Plano + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Plano
$108,649
Plano +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Plano
$57,753
Plano +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Plano
$63,758
Plano +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
Plano
4.1%
Plano +
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Plano
7.1%
Plano +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Plano
59.2%
Plano +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $108,649 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $57,753 | Plano + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | Plano + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.1% | Plano + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 7.1% | Plano + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 59.2% | Plano + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Plano
$507,575
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Plano
56.6%
Plano +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $507,575 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 56.6% | Plano + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Plano
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Plano
2339
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Plano
31.2%
Plano +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Plano
9.9%
Plano +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Plano
14.0%
Plano +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Plano
10.3%
Plano +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Plano
16.4%
Plano +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Plano
8.8%
Plano +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 31.2% | Plano + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.9% | Plano + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 14.0% | Plano + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.3% | Plano + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.4% | Plano + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 8.8% | Plano + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Plano
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Plano
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Plano, TX | 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 +
Plano
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
Plano
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
Plano
27.6 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Plano, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 27.6 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Plano leads in median household income at $108,649, 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 442 in Plano. Plano has a lower unemployment rate at 4.1%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Plano scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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