North Charleston SC vs Sandy Springs GA — 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%
Sandy Springs, GA
Georgia · Population: 107,198
- Median HH Income$101,593
- Median Home Price$694,123
- Unemployment3.8%
- Bachelor's+69.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Sandy Springs
107,198
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Sandy Springs
37.1
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Sandy Springs
16.8%
Sandy Springs +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Sandy Springs
59.3%
Sandy Springs +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Sandy Springs
20.0%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Sandy Springs
7.8%
Sandy Springs +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Sandy Springs
11.4%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 107,198 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.1 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 16.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| White | 39.1% | 59.3% | Sandy Springs + |
| Black | 42.2% | 20.0% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 7.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 11.4% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Sandy Springs
$101,593
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Sandy Springs
$80,857
Sandy Springs +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Sandy Springs
$57,405
Sandy Springs +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
Sandy Springs
3.8%
Sandy Springs +
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Sandy Springs
7.4%
Sandy Springs +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Sandy Springs
69.9%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $101,593 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $80,857 | Sandy Springs + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $57,405 | Sandy Springs + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 7.4% | Sandy Springs + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 69.9% | Sandy Springs + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Sandy Springs
$694,123
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Sandy Springs
50.7%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $694,123 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 50.7% | Sandy Springs + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Sandy Springs
392
Sandy Springs +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Sandy Springs
1752
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Sandy Springs + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Sandy Springs + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Sandy Springs
23.7%
Sandy Springs +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Sandy Springs
7.9%
Sandy Springs +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Sandy Springs
13.8%
Sandy Springs +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Sandy Springs
8.9%
Sandy Springs +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Sandy Springs
17.8%
Sandy Springs +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Sandy Springs
7.3%
Sandy Springs +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 23.7% | Sandy Springs + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 13.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.9% | Sandy Springs + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.8% | Sandy Springs + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 7.3% | Sandy Springs + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Sandy Springs
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Sandy Springs
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
Sandy Springs
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.8 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
North Charleston +
Sandy Springs
27.9 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy Springs, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 27.9 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy Springs leads in median household income at $101,593, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Sandy Springs is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. Sandy Springs has a lower unemployment rate at 3.8%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy Springs scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.7%.
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