North Charleston SC vs Scottsdale AZ — 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%
Scottsdale, AZ
Arizona · Population: 242,169
- Median HH Income$107,372
- Median Home Price$858,307
- Unemployment3.4%
- Bachelor's+61.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Scottsdale
242,169
Scottsdale +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Scottsdale
49.2
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Scottsdale
11.2%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Scottsdale
81.8%
Scottsdale +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Scottsdale
2.0%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Scottsdale
5.1%
Scottsdale +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Scottsdale
9.4%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Scottsdale
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 242,169 | Scottsdale + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 49.2 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 11.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 81.8% | Scottsdale + |
| Black | 42.2% | 2.0% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 5.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 9.4% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Scottsdale
$107,372
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Scottsdale
$82,697
Scottsdale +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Scottsdale
$59,120
Scottsdale +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
Scottsdale
3.4%
Scottsdale +
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Scottsdale
7.1%
Scottsdale +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Scottsdale
61.5%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $107,372 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $82,697 | Scottsdale + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Scottsdale + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 3.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 7.1% | Scottsdale + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 61.5% | Scottsdale + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Scottsdale
$858,307
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Scottsdale
67.6%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $858,307 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 67.6% | Scottsdale + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Scottsdale
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Scottsdale
2150
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Scottsdale
26.2%
Scottsdale +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Scottsdale
9.4%
Scottsdale +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Scottsdale
12.1%
Scottsdale +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Scottsdale
6.3%
Scottsdale +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Scottsdale
15.4%
Scottsdale +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Scottsdale
7.4%
Scottsdale +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 26.2% | Scottsdale + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 12.1% | Scottsdale + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.3% | Scottsdale + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.4% | Scottsdale + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 7.4% | Scottsdale + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Scottsdale
72.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Scottsdale
10.3 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 72.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Scottsdale
7.1 µg/m³
Scottsdale +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Scottsdale
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Scottsdale + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Scottsdale
23.2 min
Scottsdale +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Scottsdale, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 23.2 min | Scottsdale + |
Which City is Right for You?
Scottsdale leads in median household income at $107,372, 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 450 in Scottsdale. Scottsdale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.4%, and Scottsdale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Scottsdale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.2%.
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