North Charleston SC vs Quincy MA — 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%
Quincy, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 101,361
- Median HH Income$95,711
- Median Home Price$679,883
- Unemployment7.1%
- Bachelor's+48.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Quincy
101,361
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Quincy
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Quincy
39.0
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Quincy
32.7%
Quincy +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Quincy
55.6%
Quincy +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Quincy
6.5%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Quincy
29.2%
Quincy +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Quincy
5.8%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Quincy
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 101,361 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 39.0 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 32.7% | Quincy + |
| White | 39.1% | 55.6% | Quincy + |
| Black | 42.2% | 6.5% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 29.2% | Quincy + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 5.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Quincy
$95,711
Quincy +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Quincy
$53,273
Quincy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Quincy
$85,405
Quincy +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Quincy
7.1%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Quincy
11.4%
Quincy +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Quincy
48.6%
Quincy +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $95,711 | Quincy + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $53,273 | Quincy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $85,405 | Quincy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.1% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.4% | Quincy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 48.6% | Quincy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Quincy
$679,883
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Quincy
45.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $679,883 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 45.0% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Quincy
326
Quincy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Quincy
1086
Quincy +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Quincy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Quincy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Quincy
22.9%
Quincy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Quincy
10.1%
Quincy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Quincy
15.5%
Quincy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Quincy
4.9%
Quincy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Quincy
15.6%
Quincy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Quincy
11.0%
Quincy +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 22.9% | Quincy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.1% | Quincy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 15.5% | Quincy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 4.9% | Quincy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.6% | Quincy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.0% | Quincy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Quincy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Quincy
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Quincy, MA | 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
Quincy
7.2 µg/m³
Quincy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Quincy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Quincy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Quincy
37.6 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Quincy, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 37.6 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Quincy leads in median household income at $95,711, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Quincy is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Quincy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Quincy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.9%.
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