North Charleston SC vs Roanoke VA — 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%
Roanoke, VA
Virginia · Population: 98,677
- Median HH Income$52,671
- Median Home Price$279,668
- Unemployment5.5%
- Bachelor's+28.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Roanoke
98,677
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Roanoke
38.0
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Roanoke
7.5%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Roanoke
57.5%
Roanoke +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Roanoke
29.0%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Roanoke
3.1%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Roanoke
8.6%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Roanoke
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 98,677 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.0 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 7.5% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 57.5% | Roanoke + |
| Black | 42.2% | 29.0% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.1% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 8.6% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Roanoke
$52,671
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Roanoke
$34,792
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Roanoke
$69,581
Roanoke +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Roanoke
5.5%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Roanoke
19.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Roanoke
28.9%
Roanoke +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $52,671 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $34,792 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $69,581 | Roanoke + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.5% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 19.7% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 28.9% | Roanoke + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Roanoke
$279,668
Roanoke +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Roanoke
51.7%
Roanoke +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $279,668 | Roanoke + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 51.7% | Roanoke + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Roanoke
240
Roanoke +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Roanoke
1726
Roanoke +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Roanoke + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Roanoke + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Roanoke
41.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Roanoke
14.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Roanoke
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Roanoke
11.0%
Roanoke +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Roanoke
14.7%
Roanoke +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Roanoke
16.7%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 41.9% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.9% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.4% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.0% | Roanoke + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.7% | Roanoke + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.7% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Roanoke
56.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Roanoke
44.5 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 44.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Roanoke
8.2 µg/m³
Roanoke +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Roanoke
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Roanoke + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Roanoke
21.6 min
Roanoke +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Roanoke, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 21.6 min | Roanoke + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while roanoke offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $279,668. On public safety, Roanoke is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Roanoke has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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