North Charleston SC vs St. Charles MO — 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%
St. Charles, MO
Missouri · Population: 71,542
- Median HH Income$55,578
- Median Home Price$144,200
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+22.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
St. Charles
71,542
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
St. Charles
37.9
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
St. Charles
4.2%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
St. Charles
80.4%
St. Charles +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
St. Charles
6.7%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
St. Charles
1.4%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
St. Charles
7.7%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 71,542 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.9 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 4.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 80.4% | St. Charles + |
| Black | 42.2% | 6.7% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.4% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 7.7% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
St. Charles
$55,578
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
St. Charles
$31,499
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
St. Charles
$58,527
St. Charles +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
St. Charles
4.7%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
St. Charles
18.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
St. Charles
22.7%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $55,578 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $31,499 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,527 | St. Charles + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.7% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 18.7% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 22.7% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
St. Charles
$144,200
St. Charles +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
St. Charles
61.4%
St. Charles +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $144,200 | St. Charles + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 61.4% | St. Charles + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
St. Charles
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
St. Charles
2418
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
St. Charles
35.9%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
St. Charles
10.4%
St. Charles +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
St. Charles
16.0%
St. Charles +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
St. Charles
7.1%
St. Charles +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
St. Charles
18.4%
St. Charles +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
St. Charles
12.5%
St. Charles +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 35.9% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.4% | St. Charles + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.0% | St. Charles + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.1% | St. Charles + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.4% | St. Charles + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.5% | St. Charles + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
St. Charles
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
St. Charles
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
St. Charles
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 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
St. Charles
18.3 min
St. Charles +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | St. Charles, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 18.3 min | St. Charles + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while st. Charles offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $144,200. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Charles. 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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