North Charleston SC vs San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA
California · Population: 836,321
- Median HH Income$141,446
- Median Home Price$1,369,171
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+60.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
San Francisco
836,321
San Francisco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
San Francisco
39.7
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
San Francisco
34.2%
San Francisco +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
San Francisco
40.5%
San Francisco +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
San Francisco
5.1%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
San Francisco
35.0%
San Francisco +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
San Francisco
15.9%
San Francisco +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
San Francisco
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 836,321 | San Francisco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 39.7 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 34.2% | San Francisco + |
| White | 39.1% | 40.5% | San Francisco + |
| Black | 42.2% | 5.1% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 35.0% | San Francisco + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 15.9% | San Francisco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
San Francisco
$141,446
San Francisco +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
San Francisco
$90,285
San Francisco +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
San Francisco
$77,230
San Francisco +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
San Francisco
5.6%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
San Francisco
10.6%
San Francisco +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
San Francisco
60.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $141,446 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $90,285 | San Francisco + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | San Francisco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.6% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 10.6% | San Francisco + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 60.1% | San Francisco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
San Francisco
$1,369,171
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
San Francisco
38.5%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $1,369,171 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 38.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
San Francisco
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
San Francisco
2388
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Francisco, 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 Francisco
17.5%
San Francisco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
San Francisco
9.7%
San Francisco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
San Francisco
14.5%
San Francisco +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
San Francisco
6.6%
San Francisco +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
San Francisco
19.6%
San Francisco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
San Francisco
9.1%
San Francisco +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 17.5% | San Francisco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.7% | San Francisco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 14.5% | San Francisco + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.6% | San Francisco + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 19.6% | San Francisco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 9.1% | San Francisco + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
San Francisco
55.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
San Francisco
20.7 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 55.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 20.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
San Francisco
7.9 µg/m³
San Francisco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
San Francisco
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | San Francisco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
San Francisco
33.9 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | San Francisco, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 33.9 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Francisco leads in median household income at $141,446, 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 Francisco. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and San Francisco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Francisco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 17.5%.
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