North Charleston SC vs Salt Lake City UT — 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%
Salt Lake City, UT
Utah · Population: 203,888
- Median HH Income$74,925
- Median Home Price$580,126
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+50.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Salt Lake City
203,888
Salt Lake City +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Salt Lake City
33.0
Salt Lake City +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Salt Lake City
15.4%
Salt Lake City +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Salt Lake City
70.5%
Salt Lake City +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Salt Lake City
2.7%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Salt Lake City
5.3%
Salt Lake City +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Salt Lake City
20.8%
Salt Lake City +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Salt Lake City
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 203,888 | Salt Lake City + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.0 | Salt Lake City + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 15.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| White | 39.1% | 70.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Black | 42.2% | 2.7% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 5.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 20.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Salt Lake City
$74,925
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Salt Lake City
$49,642
Salt Lake City +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Salt Lake City
$60,713
Salt Lake City +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
Salt Lake City
3.8%
Salt Lake City +
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Salt Lake City
13.4%
Salt Lake City +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Salt Lake City
50.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $74,925 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $49,642 | Salt Lake City + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $60,713 | Salt Lake City + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.8% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 13.4% | Salt Lake City + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 50.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Salt Lake City
$580,126
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Salt Lake City
46.8%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $580,126 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 46.8% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Salt Lake City
245
Salt Lake City +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Salt Lake City
1931
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Salt Lake City + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Salt Lake City + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Salt Lake City
29.5%
Salt Lake City +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Salt Lake City
18.2%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Salt Lake City
12.3%
Salt Lake City +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Salt Lake City
16.0%
Salt Lake City +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Salt Lake City
7.9%
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 29.5% | Salt Lake City + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.2% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.3% | Salt Lake City + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.0% | Salt Lake City + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 7.9% | Salt Lake City + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Salt Lake City
52.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Salt Lake City
16.1 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 16.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Salt Lake City
7.0 µg/m³
Salt Lake City +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Salt Lake City
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Salt Lake City + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Salt Lake City
21.3 min
Salt Lake City +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Salt Lake City, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 21.3 min | Salt Lake City + |
Which City is Right for You?
Salt Lake City leads in median household income at $74,925, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Salt Lake City is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. Salt Lake City has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and Salt Lake City has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Salt Lake City scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.5%.
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