North Charleston SC vs Spokane WA — 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%
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Spokane
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Spokane
37.2
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Spokane
6.1%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Spokane
2.7%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Spokane
2.9%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Spokane
7.8%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Spokane
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 229,228 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.2 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 6.1% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 81.0% | Spokane + |
| Black | 42.2% | 2.7% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.9% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 7.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Spokane
$38,200
Spokane +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Spokane
6.0%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Spokane
32.6%
Spokane +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $65,745 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $38,200 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,120 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.0% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.6% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 32.6% | Spokane + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Spokane
$400,636
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Spokane
58.3%
Spokane +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $400,636 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 58.3% | Spokane + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Spokane
383
Spokane +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Spokane
3409
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Spokane + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Spokane
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Spokane
18.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Spokane
8.2%
Spokane +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Spokane
17.5%
Spokane +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 35.3% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.3% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.6% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.2% | Spokane + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.5% | Spokane + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Spokane
46.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Spokane
17.1 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 17.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Spokane
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Spokane
22.6 min
Spokane +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Spokane, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 22.6 min | Spokane + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Spokane is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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