North Charleston SC vs Portland ME — 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%
Portland, ME
Maine · Population: 68,505
- Median HH Income$76,174
- Median Home Price$561,069
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+59.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Portland
68,505
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Portland
37.5
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Portland
11.1%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Portland
80.1%
Portland +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Portland
9.0%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Portland
3.2%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Portland
3.1%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 68,505 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.5 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 11.1% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 80.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 42.2% | 9.0% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.2% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 3.1% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Portland
$76,174
Portland +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Portland
$52,125
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Portland
$61,587
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Portland
4.4%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Portland
11.3%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Portland
59.2%
Portland +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $76,174 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $52,125 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $61,587 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.4% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.3% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 59.2% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Portland
$561,069
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Portland
46.7%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $561,069 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 46.7% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Portland
106
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Portland
1234
Portland +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 106 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1234 | Portland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Portland
27.7%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Portland
8.3%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Portland
17.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Portland
7.2%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Portland
18.3%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Portland
11.1%
Portland +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 27.7% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.3% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.8% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.2% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.3% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.1% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Portland
46.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Portland
47.3 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Portland
5.9 µg/m³
Portland +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Portland
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.9 µg/m³ | Portland + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Portland
21.4 min
Portland +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, ME | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 21.4 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $76,174, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Portland is safer with a violent crime rate of 106 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Portland has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.7%.
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