North Charleston SC vs Provo UT — 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%
Provo, UT
Utah · Population: 114,303
- Median HH Income$62,800
- Median Home Price$486,127
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+45.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Provo
114,303
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Provo
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Provo
23.7
Provo +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Provo
12.2%
Provo +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Provo
78.6%
Provo +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Provo
1.1%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Provo
2.2%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Provo
18.9%
Provo +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Provo
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 114,303 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 23.7 | Provo + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 12.2% | Provo + |
| White | 39.1% | 78.6% | Provo + |
| Black | 42.2% | 1.1% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.2% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 18.9% | Provo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Provo
$62,800
Provo +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Provo
$26,755
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Provo
$60,713
Provo +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Provo
4.7%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Provo
22.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Provo
45.0%
Provo +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $62,800 | Provo + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $26,755 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $60,713 | Provo + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.7% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 22.3% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 45.0% | Provo + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Provo
$486,127
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Provo
39.9%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $486,127 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 39.9% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Provo
245
Provo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Provo
1931
Provo +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Provo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Provo + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Provo
30.7%
Provo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Provo
6.1%
Provo +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Provo
21.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Provo
12.6%
Provo +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Provo
8.7%
Provo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Provo
7.0%
Provo +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.7% | Provo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 6.1% | Provo + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 21.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.6% | Provo + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 8.7% | Provo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 7.0% | Provo + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Provo
53.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Provo
19.8 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 19.8 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Provo
7.0 µg/m³
Provo +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Provo
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Provo + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Provo
20.1 min
Provo +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Provo, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 20.1 min | Provo + |
Which City is Right for You?
Provo leads in median household income at $62,800, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Provo is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Provo has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Provo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.7%.
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