North Charleston SC vs Reno NV — 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%
Reno, NV
Nevada · Population: 268,959
- Median HH Income$78,448
- Median Home Price$570,934
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+35.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Reno
268,959
Reno +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Reno
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Reno
37.3
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Reno
16.1%
Reno +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Reno
63.5%
Reno +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Reno
3.2%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Reno
7.0%
Reno +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Reno
24.6%
Reno +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Reno
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 268,959 | Reno + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 16.1% | Reno + |
| White | 39.1% | 63.5% | Reno + |
| Black | 42.2% | 3.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 7.0% | Reno + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 24.6% | Reno + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Reno
$78,448
Reno +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Reno
$45,180
Reno +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Reno
$62,696
Reno +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Reno
5.0%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Reno
12.5%
Reno +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Reno
35.7%
Reno +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $78,448 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $45,180 | Reno + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $62,696 | Reno + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.0% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 12.5% | Reno + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 35.7% | Reno + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Reno
$570,934
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Reno
49.4%
Reno +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $570,934 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 49.4% | Reno + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Reno
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Reno
2417
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Reno
28.4%
Reno +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Reno
9.5%
Reno +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Reno
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Reno
13.0%
Reno +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Reno
18.9%
Reno +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Reno
12.8%
Reno +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 28.4% | Reno + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.5% | Reno + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | Reno + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.9% | Reno + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.8% | Reno + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Reno
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Reno
8.3 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Reno
5.2 µg/m³
Reno +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Reno
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Reno + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Reno
22.3 min
Reno +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Reno, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 22.3 min | Reno + |
Which City is Right for You?
Reno leads in median household income at $78,448, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 460 in Reno. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Reno has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Reno scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.4%.
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