North Charleston SC vs Saint Paul MN — 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%
Saint Paul, MN
Minnesota · Population: 307,762
- Median HH Income$73,055
- Median Home Price$297,021
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+43.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Saint Paul
307,762
Saint Paul +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Saint Paul
33.5
Saint Paul +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Saint Paul
18.7%
Saint Paul +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Saint Paul
16.2%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Saint Paul
17.9%
Saint Paul +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Saint Paul
9.1%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 307,762 | Saint Paul + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.5 | Saint Paul + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 18.7% | Saint Paul + |
| White | 39.1% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
| Black | 42.2% | 16.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 17.9% | Saint Paul + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 9.1% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Saint Paul
$73,055
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Saint Paul
$41,594
Saint Paul +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Saint Paul
$69,467
Saint Paul +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Saint Paul
4.9%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Saint Paul
15.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Saint Paul
43.5%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $73,055 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $41,594 | Saint Paul + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $69,467 | Saint Paul + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.9% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 15.8% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 43.5% | Saint Paul + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Saint Paul
$297,021
Saint Paul +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Saint Paul
53.2%
Saint Paul +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $297,021 | Saint Paul + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 53.2% | Saint Paul + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Saint Paul
284
Saint Paul +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Saint Paul
1992
Saint Paul +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 284 | Saint Paul + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1992 | Saint Paul + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Saint Paul
N/A
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Saint Paul
N/A
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Saint Paul
N/A
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | N/A | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | N/A | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | N/A | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | N/A | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | N/A | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | N/A | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Saint Paul
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Saint Paul
8.1 µg/m³
Saint Paul +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Saint Paul
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Saint Paul + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Saint Paul
24.1 min
Saint Paul +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Saint Paul, MN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 24.1 min | Saint Paul + |
Which City is Right for You?
Saint Paul leads in median household income at $73,055, while saint Paul offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $297,021. On public safety, Saint Paul is safer with a violent crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Saint Paul has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³).
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