North Charleston SC vs Sparks NV — 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%
Sparks, NV
Nevada · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$530,668
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Sparks
N/A
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Sparks
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Sparks
N/A
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Sparks
N/A
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Sparks
N/A
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
Sparks
N/A
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Sparks
N/A
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Sparks
N/A
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | N/A | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | N/A | - |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | N/A | - |
| White | 39.1% | N/A | - |
| Black | 42.2% | N/A | - |
| Asian | 3.5% | N/A | - |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | N/A | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Sparks
N/A
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Sparks
$62,696
Sparks +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
Sparks
N/A
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Sparks
N/A
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | N/A | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $62,696 | Sparks + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | N/A | - |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | N/A | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | N/A | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Sparks
$530,668
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $530,668 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | N/A | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Sparks
460
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Sparks
2417
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 460 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2417 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Sparks
28.6%
Sparks +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Sparks
9.8%
Sparks +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Sparks
18.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Sparks
13.8%
Sparks +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Sparks
18.7%
Sparks +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Sparks
12.9%
Sparks +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 28.6% | Sparks + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.8% | Sparks + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.1% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.8% | Sparks + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.7% | Sparks + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.9% | Sparks + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Sparks
52.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Sparks
8.3 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 8.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Sparks
5.2 µg/m³
Sparks +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Sparks
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 5.2 µg/m³ | Sparks + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Sparks
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sparks, NV | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | N/A | - |
Which City is Right for You?
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 460 in Sparks. Sparks has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 5.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Sparks scores better with a lower obesity rate of 28.6%.
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