North Charleston SC vs San Antonio 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%
San Antonio, TX
Texas · Population: 1,458,954
- Median HH Income$62,917
- Median Home Price$251,035
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+28.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
San Antonio
1,458,954
San Antonio +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
San Antonio
34.6
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
San Antonio
14.3%
San Antonio +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
San Antonio
48.3%
San Antonio +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
San Antonio
7.0%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
San Antonio
3.1%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
San Antonio
64.4%
San Antonio +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
San Antonio
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 1,458,954 | San Antonio + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.6 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 14.3% | San Antonio + |
| White | 39.1% | 48.3% | San Antonio + |
| Black | 42.2% | 7.0% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.1% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 64.4% | San Antonio + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
San Antonio
$62,917
San Antonio +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
San Antonio
$32,983
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
San Antonio
$63,758
San Antonio +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
San Antonio
5.8%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
San Antonio
17.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
San Antonio
28.7%
San Antonio +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $62,917 | San Antonio + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $32,983 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | San Antonio + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.8% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 17.1% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 28.7% | San Antonio + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
San Antonio
$251,035
San Antonio +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
San Antonio
52.4%
San Antonio +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $251,035 | San Antonio + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 52.4% | San Antonio + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
San Antonio
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
San Antonio
2339
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Antonio, 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%
San Antonio
34.9%
San Antonio +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
San Antonio
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
San Antonio
17.2%
San Antonio +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
San Antonio
24.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
San Antonio
16.0%
San Antonio +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
San Antonio
13.0%
San Antonio +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 34.9% | San Antonio + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.2% | San Antonio + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 24.5% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.0% | San Antonio + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.0% | San Antonio + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
San Antonio
68.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
San Antonio
34.9 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 68.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 34.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
San Antonio
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
San Antonio
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Antonio, 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
San Antonio
26.5 min
San Antonio +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Antonio, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 26.5 min | San Antonio + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Antonio leads in median household income at $62,917, while san Antonio offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $251,035. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in San Antonio. 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, San Antonio scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.9%.
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