North Charleston SC vs Portland OR — 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, OR
Oregon · Population: 642,715
- Median HH Income$88,792
- Median Home Price$538,687
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+53.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Portland
642,715
Portland +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Portland
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Portland
38.6
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Portland
12.4%
Portland +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Portland
70.1%
Portland +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Portland
5.8%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Portland
8.1%
Portland +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Portland
11.3%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Portland
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 642,715 | Portland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.6 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 12.4% | Portland + |
| White | 39.1% | 70.1% | Portland + |
| Black | 42.2% | 5.8% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 8.1% | Portland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 11.3% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Portland
$88,792
Portland +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Portland
$55,312
Portland +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Portland
$63,691
Portland +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Portland
5.5%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Portland
12.8%
Portland +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Portland
53.5%
Portland +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $88,792 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $55,312 | Portland + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,691 | Portland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.5% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 12.8% | Portland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 53.5% | Portland + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Portland
$538,687
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Portland
52.8%
Portland +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $538,687 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 52.8% | Portland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Portland
355
Portland +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Portland
3001
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Portland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Portland
28.5%
Portland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Portland
8.9%
Portland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Portland
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Portland
7.1%
Portland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Portland
17.7%
Portland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Portland
11.7%
Portland +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 28.5% | Portland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.9% | Portland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.3% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.1% | Portland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.7% | Portland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.7% | Portland + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Portland
51.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Portland
78.3 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 51.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 78.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Portland
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
Portland
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.0 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
Portland
26.5 min
Portland +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Portland, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 26.5 min | Portland + |
Which City is Right for You?
Portland leads in median household income at $88,792, 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 355 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, Portland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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