North Charleston SC vs Santa Rosa 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 Rosa, CA
California · Population: 129,239
- Median HH Income$173,670
- Median Home Price$720,443
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+65.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Santa Rosa
129,239
Santa Rosa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Santa Rosa
34.5
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Santa Rosa
45.4%
Santa Rosa +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Santa Rosa
31.9%
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Santa Rosa
2.1%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Santa Rosa
47.6%
Santa Rosa +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Santa Rosa
16.1%
Santa Rosa +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Santa Rosa
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 129,239 | Santa Rosa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.5 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 45.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| White | 39.1% | 31.9% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 42.2% | 2.1% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 47.6% | Santa Rosa + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 16.1% | Santa Rosa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Santa Rosa
$173,670
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Santa Rosa
$84,533
Santa Rosa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Santa Rosa
$77,230
Santa Rosa +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Santa Rosa
4.4%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Santa Rosa
7.8%
Santa Rosa +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Santa Rosa
65.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $173,670 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $84,533 | Santa Rosa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Santa Rosa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.4% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 7.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 65.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Santa Rosa
$720,443
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Santa Rosa
41.2%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $720,443 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 41.2% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Santa Rosa
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Santa Rosa
2388
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, 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 Rosa
26.5%
Santa Rosa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Santa Rosa
16.7%
Santa Rosa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Santa Rosa
10.4%
Santa Rosa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Santa Rosa
15.8%
Santa Rosa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Santa Rosa
11.3%
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 26.5% | Santa Rosa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.7% | Santa Rosa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.4% | Santa Rosa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.8% | Santa Rosa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.3% | Santa Rosa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Santa Rosa
59.2°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Santa Rosa
32.2 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 59.2°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Santa Rosa
7.9 µg/m³
Santa Rosa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Santa Rosa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Santa Rosa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Santa Rosa
25.2 min
Santa Rosa +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Santa Rosa, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 25.2 min | Santa Rosa + |
Which City is Right for You?
Santa Rosa leads in median household income at $173,670, 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 Rosa. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Santa Rosa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Rosa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.5%.
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