North Charleston SC vs Santa Ana 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%
Santa Ana, CA
California · Population: 91,535
- Median HH Income$109,739
- Median Home Price$865,610
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+68.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Santa Ana
91,535
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Santa Ana
42.9
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Santa Ana
23.2%
Santa Ana +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Santa Ana
66.9%
Santa Ana +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Santa Ana
4.9%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Santa Ana
9.8%
Santa Ana +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Santa Ana
16.4%
Santa Ana +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Santa Ana
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 91,535 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 42.9 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 23.2% | Santa Ana + |
| White | 39.1% | 66.9% | Santa Ana + |
| Black | 42.2% | 4.9% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 9.8% | Santa Ana + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 16.4% | Santa Ana + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Santa Ana
$109,739
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Santa Ana
$90,657
Santa Ana +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Santa Ana
$77,230
Santa Ana +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Santa Ana
6.1%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Santa Ana
68.9%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $109,739 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $90,657 | Santa Ana + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Santa Ana + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.1% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 68.9% | Santa Ana + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Santa Ana
$865,610
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Santa Ana
28.8%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $865,610 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 28.8% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Santa Ana
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Santa Ana
2388
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Ana, 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%
Santa Ana
29.0%
Santa Ana +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Santa Ana
13.0%
Santa Ana +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Santa Ana
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Santa Ana
20.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Santa Ana
15.7%
Santa Ana +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Santa Ana
11.6%
Santa Ana +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 29.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.0% | Santa Ana + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.7% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.7% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.7% | Santa Ana + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.6% | Santa Ana + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Santa Ana
65.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Santa Ana
13.6 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 65.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 13.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Santa Ana
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Ana +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Santa Ana
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Ana + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Santa Ana
28.0 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Ana, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 28.0 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Ana leads in median household income at $109,739, 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 Santa Ana. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Santa Ana has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Ana scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.0%.
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