North Charleston SC vs Sandy 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%
Sandy, UT
Utah · Population: 94,723
- Median HH Income$111,242
- Median Home Price$672,082
- Unemployment2.5%
- Bachelor's+45.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Sandy
94,723
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Sandy
36.9
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Sandy
10.3%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Sandy
81.8%
Sandy +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Sandy
0.8%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Sandy
3.5%
Sandy +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Sandy
11.3%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 94,723 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.9 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 10.3% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 81.8% | Sandy + |
| Black | 42.2% | 0.8% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.5% | Sandy + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 11.3% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Sandy
$111,242
Sandy +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Sandy
$50,592
Sandy +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Sandy
$60,713
Sandy +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
Sandy
2.5%
Sandy +
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Sandy
5.5%
Sandy +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Sandy
45.7%
Sandy +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $111,242 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $50,592 | Sandy + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $60,713 | Sandy + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 2.5% | Sandy + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 5.5% | Sandy + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 45.7% | Sandy + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Sandy
$672,082
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Sandy
75.9%
Sandy +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $672,082 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 75.9% | Sandy + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Sandy
245
Sandy +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Sandy
1931
Sandy +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 245 | Sandy + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1931 | Sandy + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Sandy
28.5%
Sandy +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Sandy
8.4%
Sandy +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Sandy
16.5%
Sandy +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Sandy
8.7%
Sandy +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Sandy
15.2%
Sandy +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Sandy
7.4%
Sandy +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 28.5% | Sandy + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.4% | Sandy + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.5% | Sandy + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.7% | Sandy + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.2% | Sandy + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 7.4% | Sandy + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Sandy
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Sandy
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | 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
Sandy
7.0 µg/m³
Sandy +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Sandy
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.0 µg/m³ | Sandy + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Sandy
24.6 min
Sandy +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sandy, UT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 24.6 min | Sandy + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sandy leads in median household income at $111,242, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Sandy is safer with a violent crime rate of 245 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. Sandy has a lower unemployment rate at 2.5%, and Sandy has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.0 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sandy scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.5%.
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