North Charleston SC vs Raleigh NC — 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%
Raleigh, NC
North Carolina · Population: 470,763
- Median HH Income$82,424
- Median Home Price$435,807
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+52.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Raleigh
470,763
Raleigh +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Raleigh
34.7
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Raleigh
13.6%
Raleigh +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Raleigh
53.8%
Raleigh +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Raleigh
27.5%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Raleigh
4.7%
Raleigh +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Raleigh
12.7%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Raleigh
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 470,763 | Raleigh + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.7 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.6% | Raleigh + |
| White | 39.1% | 53.8% | Raleigh + |
| Black | 42.2% | 27.5% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.7% | Raleigh + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 12.7% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Raleigh
$82,424
Raleigh +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Raleigh
$49,948
Raleigh +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Raleigh
$59,120
Raleigh +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Raleigh
4.5%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Raleigh
11.4%
Raleigh +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Raleigh
52.9%
Raleigh +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $82,424 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $49,948 | Raleigh + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Raleigh + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.5% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.4% | Raleigh + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 52.9% | Raleigh + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Raleigh
$435,807
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Raleigh
51.2%
Raleigh +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $435,807 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 51.2% | Raleigh + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Raleigh
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Raleigh
1999
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Raleigh
30.9%
Raleigh +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Raleigh
9.1%
Raleigh +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Raleigh
16.6%
Raleigh +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Raleigh
9.7%
Raleigh +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Raleigh
15.3%
Raleigh +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Raleigh
10.5%
Raleigh +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.9% | Raleigh + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.1% | Raleigh + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.6% | Raleigh + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.7% | Raleigh + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.3% | Raleigh + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 10.5% | Raleigh + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Raleigh
61.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Raleigh
46.2 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Raleigh
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Raleigh
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Raleigh
25.1 min
Raleigh +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Raleigh, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 25.1 min | Raleigh + |
Which City is Right for You?
Raleigh leads in median household income at $82,424, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Raleigh is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 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, Raleigh scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.9%.
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