North Charleston SC vs Shreveport LA — 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%
Shreveport, LA
Louisiana · Population: 183,483
- Median HH Income$48,465
- Median Home Price$146,463
- Unemployment8.9%
- Bachelor's+27.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Shreveport
183,483
Shreveport +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Shreveport
37.5
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Shreveport
2.6%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Shreveport
36.5%
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
Shreveport
56.1%
Shreveport +
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Shreveport
1.5%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Shreveport
3.9%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 183,483 | Shreveport + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.5 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 2.6% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 36.5% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 42.2% | 56.1% | Shreveport + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 3.9% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Shreveport
$48,465
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Shreveport
$33,788
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Shreveport
$55,297
Shreveport +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Shreveport
8.9%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Shreveport
23.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
Shreveport
27.5%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $48,465 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $33,788 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $55,297 | Shreveport + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 8.9% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 23.6% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 27.5% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Shreveport
$146,463
Shreveport +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Shreveport
53.8%
Shreveport +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $146,463 | Shreveport + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 53.8% | Shreveport + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Shreveport
643
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Shreveport
2824
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 643 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2824 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Shreveport
43.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Shreveport
17.6%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Shreveport
20.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Shreveport
9.6%
Shreveport +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Shreveport
14.5%
Shreveport +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Shreveport
19.1%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 43.1% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 17.6% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.1% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | Shreveport + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.5% | Shreveport + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 19.1% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Shreveport
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Shreveport
52.7 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Shreveport
8.9 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Shreveport
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.9 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Shreveport
20.5 min
Shreveport +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Shreveport, LA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 20.5 min | Shreveport + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while shreveport offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $146,463. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Shreveport. 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, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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