North Charleston SC vs South Bend IN — 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%
South Bend, IN
Indiana · Population: 102,866
- Median HH Income$52,512
- Median Home Price$194,972
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+29.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
South Bend
102,866
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
South Bend
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
South Bend
33.9
South Bend +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
South Bend
8.9%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
South Bend
54.1%
South Bend +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
South Bend
24.4%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
South Bend
1.7%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
South Bend
17.3%
South Bend +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
South Bend
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 102,866 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.9 | South Bend + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 8.9% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 54.1% | South Bend + |
| Black | 42.2% | 24.4% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.7% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 17.3% | South Bend + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
South Bend
$52,512
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
South Bend
$29,511
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
South Bend
$58,697
South Bend +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
South Bend
6.0%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
South Bend
22.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
South Bend
29.4%
South Bend +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $52,512 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $29,511 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,697 | South Bend + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.0% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 22.6% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 29.4% | South Bend + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
South Bend
$194,972
South Bend +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
South Bend
58.8%
South Bend +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $194,972 | South Bend + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 58.8% | South Bend + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
South Bend
370
South Bend +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
South Bend
1719
South Bend +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 370 | South Bend + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1719 | South Bend + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
South Bend
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
South Bend
15.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
South Bend
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
South Bend
12.6%
South Bend +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
South Bend
15.3%
South Bend +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
South Bend
18.2%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 39.7% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 15.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.3% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.6% | South Bend + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.3% | South Bend + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.2% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
South Bend
49.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
South Bend
38.0 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 38.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
South Bend
10.1 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
South Bend
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.1 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
South Bend
21.6 min
South Bend +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | South Bend, IN | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 21.6 min | South Bend + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while south Bend offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $194,972. On public safety, South Bend is safer with a violent crime rate of 370 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, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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