North Charleston SC vs Savannah 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%
Savannah, GA
Georgia · Population: 147,546
- Median HH Income$56,782
- Median Home Price$326,132
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+32.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Savannah
147,546
Savannah +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Savannah
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Savannah
33.7
Savannah +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Savannah
6.7%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Savannah
37.2%
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
Savannah
52.2%
Savannah +
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Savannah
2.9%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Savannah
7.1%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Savannah
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 147,546 | Savannah + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.7 | Savannah + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 6.7% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 37.2% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 42.2% | 52.2% | Savannah + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.9% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 7.1% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Savannah
$56,782
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Savannah
$32,004
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Savannah
$57,405
Savannah +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Savannah
6.7%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Savannah
19.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Savannah
32.0%
Savannah +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $56,782 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $32,004 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $57,405 | Savannah + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.7% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 19.5% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 32.0% | Savannah + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Savannah
$326,132
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Savannah
44.4%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $326,132 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 44.4% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Savannah
392
Savannah +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Savannah
1752
Savannah +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 392 | Savannah + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1752 | Savannah + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Savannah
34.5%
Savannah +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Savannah
13.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Savannah
18.5%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Savannah
13.8%
Savannah +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Savannah
15.6%
Savannah +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Savannah
14.7%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 34.5% | Savannah + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.6% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.5% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.8% | Savannah + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.6% | Savannah + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.7% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Savannah
66.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Savannah
48.0 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Savannah
9.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
Savannah
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Savannah, 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
Savannah
22.2 min
Savannah +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Savannah, GA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 22.2 min | Savannah + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Savannah is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Savannah scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.5%.
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