North Charleston SC vs Salem OR — 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%
Salem, OR
Oregon · Population: 176,666
- Median HH Income$71,900
- Median Home Price$438,754
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+31.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Salem
176,666
Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Salem
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Salem
35.7
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Salem
12.2%
Salem +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Salem
69.8%
Salem +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Salem
1.6%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Salem
3.5%
Salem +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Salem
23.4%
Salem +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Salem
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 176,666 | Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.7 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 12.2% | Salem + |
| White | 39.1% | 69.8% | Salem + |
| Black | 42.2% | 1.6% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.5% | Salem + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 23.4% | Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Salem
$71,900
Salem +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Salem
$36,477
Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Salem
$63,691
Salem +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Salem
5.3%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Salem
14.7%
Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Salem
31.4%
Salem +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $71,900 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $36,477 | Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,691 | Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.7% | Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 31.4% | Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Salem
$438,754
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Salem
55.7%
Salem +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $438,754 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 55.7% | Salem + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Salem
355
Salem +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Salem
3001
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 355 | Salem + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3001 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Salem
41.4%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Salem
11.7%
Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Salem
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Salem
11.6%
Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Salem
16.2%
Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Salem
12.4%
Salem +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 41.4% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.7% | Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.8% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.6% | Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.2% | Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.4% | Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Salem
53.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Salem
39.7 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Salem
9.0 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
Salem
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.0 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
Salem
24.5 min
Salem +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salem, OR | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 24.5 min | Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salem leads in median household income at $71,900, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Salem is safer with a violent crime rate of 355 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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