North Charleston SC vs San Diego 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%
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
San Diego
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
San Diego
36.0
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
San Diego
5.7%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
San Diego
29.6%
San Diego +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
San Diego
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 1,385,061 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.0 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 24.8% | San Diego + |
| White | 39.1% | 50.4% | San Diego + |
| Black | 42.2% | 5.7% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 17.6% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 29.6% | San Diego + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
San Diego
$77,230
San Diego +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
San Diego
5.9%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $104,321 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $54,678 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | San Diego + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.1% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 49.9% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
San Diego
$1,006,261
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
San Diego
47.6%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $1,006,261 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 47.6% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
San Diego
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
San Diego
2388
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Diego, 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%
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
San Diego
16.9%
San Diego +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 24.2% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.2% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.5% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.5% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.9% | San Diego + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 9.3% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
San Diego
61.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
San Diego
12.3 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 61.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
San Diego +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
San Diego
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Diego + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
San Diego
25.9 min
San Diego +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Diego, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 25.9 min | San Diego + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, 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 San Diego. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and San Diego has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs North Charleston, SCLos Angeles, CA vs North Charleston, SCChicago, IL vs North Charleston, SCHouston, TX vs North Charleston, SCNorth Charleston, SC vs Phoenix, AZNorth Charleston, SC vs Philadelphia, PA