North Charleston SC vs Sacramento CA — 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%
Sacramento, CA
California · Population: 524,802
- Median HH Income$83,753
- Median Home Price$480,548
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+36.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Sacramento
524,802
Sacramento +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Sacramento
35.7
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Sacramento
21.3%
Sacramento +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Sacramento
36.8%
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Sacramento
12.4%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Sacramento
19.7%
Sacramento +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Sacramento
29.5%
Sacramento +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Sacramento
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 524,802 | Sacramento + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.7 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 21.3% | Sacramento + |
| White | 39.1% | 36.8% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 42.2% | 12.4% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 19.7% | Sacramento + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 29.5% | Sacramento + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Sacramento
$83,753
Sacramento +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Sacramento
$42,300
Sacramento +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Sacramento
$77,230
Sacramento +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Sacramento
6.2%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Sacramento
14.4%
Sacramento +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Sacramento
36.4%
Sacramento +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $83,753 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $42,300 | Sacramento + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Sacramento + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.4% | Sacramento + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 36.4% | Sacramento + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Sacramento
$480,548
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Sacramento
51.5%
Sacramento +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $480,548 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 51.5% | Sacramento + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Sacramento
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Sacramento
2388
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Sacramento
30.0%
Sacramento +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Sacramento
11.2%
Sacramento +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Sacramento
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Sacramento
10.0%
Sacramento +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Sacramento
14.3%
Sacramento +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Sacramento
11.9%
Sacramento +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 30.0% | Sacramento + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.2% | Sacramento + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.9% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.0% | Sacramento + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.3% | Sacramento + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.9% | Sacramento + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Sacramento
61.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Sacramento
18.5 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 18.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Sacramento
7.9 µg/m³
Sacramento +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Sacramento
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Sacramento + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Sacramento
27.0 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sacramento, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 27.0 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sacramento leads in median household income at $83,753, 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 503 in Sacramento. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Sacramento has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sacramento scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.0%.
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