North Charleston SC vs Rio Rancho NM — 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%
Rio Rancho, NM
New Mexico · Population: 47,823
- Median HH Income$50,294
- Median Home Price$362,476
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+19.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Rio Rancho
47,823
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Rio Rancho
36.8
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Rio Rancho
11.6%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Rio Rancho
62.2%
Rio Rancho +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Rio Rancho
1.8%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Rio Rancho
1.6%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Rio Rancho
61.1%
Rio Rancho +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Rio Rancho
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 47,823 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.8 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 11.6% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 62.2% | Rio Rancho + |
| Black | 42.2% | 1.8% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.6% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 61.1% | Rio Rancho + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Rio Rancho
$50,294
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Rio Rancho
$28,418
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
North Charleston +
Rio Rancho
$53,141
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Rio Rancho
5.9%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Rio Rancho
24.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
Rio Rancho
19.6%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $50,294 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $28,418 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $53,141 | North Charleston + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 24.2% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 19.6% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Rio Rancho
$362,476
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Rio Rancho
66.4%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $362,476 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 66.4% | Rio Rancho + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Rio Rancho
834
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Rio Rancho
3177
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 834 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3177 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Rio Rancho
31.9%
Rio Rancho +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Rio Rancho
10.6%
Rio Rancho +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Rio Rancho
15.4%
Rio Rancho +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Rio Rancho
11.5%
Rio Rancho +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Rio Rancho
15.0%
Rio Rancho +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Rio Rancho
10.5%
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 31.9% | Rio Rancho + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.6% | Rio Rancho + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 15.4% | Rio Rancho + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.5% | Rio Rancho + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.0% | Rio Rancho + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 10.5% | Rio Rancho + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Rio Rancho
55.7°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Rio Rancho
12.3 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.7°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Rio Rancho
6.1 µg/m³
Rio Rancho +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Rio Rancho
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.1 µg/m³ | Rio Rancho + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Rio Rancho
19.1 min
Rio Rancho +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Rio Rancho, NM | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 19.1 min | Rio Rancho + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, 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 834 in Rio Rancho. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Rio Rancho has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Rio Rancho scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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