North Charleston SC vs Round Rock TX — 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%
Round Rock, TX
Texas · Population: 124,288
- Median HH Income$97,187
- Median Home Price$411,570
- Unemployment3.6%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Round Rock
124,288
Round Rock +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Round Rock
36.2
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Round Rock
15.5%
Round Rock +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Round Rock
58.3%
Round Rock +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Round Rock
11.2%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Round Rock
7.3%
Round Rock +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Round Rock
29.1%
Round Rock +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 124,288 | Round Rock + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.2 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 15.5% | Round Rock + |
| White | 39.1% | 58.3% | Round Rock + |
| Black | 42.2% | 11.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 7.3% | Round Rock + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 29.1% | Round Rock + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Round Rock
$97,187
Round Rock +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Round Rock
$47,829
Round Rock +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Round Rock
$63,758
Round Rock +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
Round Rock
3.6%
Round Rock +
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Round Rock
7.7%
Round Rock +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Round Rock
43.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $97,187 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $47,829 | Round Rock + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | Round Rock + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.6% | Round Rock + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 7.7% | Round Rock + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 43.6% | Round Rock + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Round Rock
$411,570
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Round Rock
56.3%
Round Rock +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $411,570 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 56.3% | Round Rock + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Round Rock
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Round Rock
2339
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Round Rock
34.2%
Round Rock +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Round Rock
9.8%
Round Rock +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Round Rock
16.6%
Round Rock +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Round Rock
14.1%
Round Rock +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Round Rock
17.3%
Round Rock +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Round Rock
10.6%
Round Rock +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 34.2% | Round Rock + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.8% | Round Rock + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.6% | Round Rock + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.1% | Round Rock + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.3% | Round Rock + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 10.6% | Round Rock + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Round Rock
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Round Rock
35.7 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 35.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Round Rock
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
Round Rock
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Round Rock
26.1 min
Round Rock +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Round Rock, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 26.1 min | Round Rock + |
Which City is Right for You?
Round Rock leads in median household income at $97,187, 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 442 in Round Rock. Round Rock has a lower unemployment rate at 3.6%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Round Rock scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.2%.
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