North Charleston SC vs Providence RI — 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%
Providence, RI
Rhode Island · Population: 190,214
- Median HH Income$66,772
- Median Home Price$429,449
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+34.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Providence
190,214
Providence +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Providence
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Providence
32.9
Providence +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Providence
32.8%
Providence +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Providence
40.7%
Providence +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Providence
13.3%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Providence
5.9%
Providence +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Providence
44.3%
Providence +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 190,214 | Providence + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.9 | Providence + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 32.8% | Providence + |
| White | 39.1% | 40.7% | Providence + |
| Black | 42.2% | 13.3% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 5.9% | Providence + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 44.3% | Providence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Providence
$66,772
Providence +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Providence
$36,694
Providence +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Providence
$64,538
Providence +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Providence
7.4%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Providence
20.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Providence
34.7%
Providence +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $66,772 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $36,694 | Providence + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $64,538 | Providence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.4% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 20.1% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 34.7% | Providence + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Providence
$429,449
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Providence
41.2%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $429,449 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 41.2% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Providence
174
Providence +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Providence
1303
Providence +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 174 | Providence + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1303 | Providence + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Providence
34.4%
Providence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Providence
11.5%
Providence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Providence
19.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Providence
14.6%
Providence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Providence
16.7%
Providence +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Providence
12.1%
Providence +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 34.4% | Providence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.5% | Providence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 19.6% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.6% | Providence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.7% | Providence + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.1% | Providence + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Providence
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Providence
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | 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
Providence
7.1 µg/m³
Providence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Providence
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Providence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Providence
27.4 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Providence, RI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 27.4 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Providence leads in median household income at $66,772, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Providence is safer with a violent crime rate of 174 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Providence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Providence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.4%.
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