North Charleston SC vs Stamford CT — 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%
Stamford, CT
Connecticut · Population: 135,806
- Median HH Income$107,474
- Median Home Price$708,498
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Stamford
135,806
Stamford +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Stamford
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Stamford
38.2
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Stamford
31.8%
Stamford +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Stamford
49.1%
Stamford +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Stamford
19.9%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Stamford
7.1%
Stamford +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Stamford
28.1%
Stamford +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Stamford
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 135,806 | Stamford + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.2 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 31.8% | Stamford + |
| White | 39.1% | 49.1% | Stamford + |
| Black | 42.2% | 19.9% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 7.1% | Stamford + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 28.1% | Stamford + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Stamford
$107,474
Stamford +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Stamford
$64,382
Stamford +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Stamford
$85,393
Stamford +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Stamford
4.9%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Stamford
9.5%
Stamford +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Stamford
51.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $107,474 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $64,382 | Stamford + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $85,393 | Stamford + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.9% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 9.5% | Stamford + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 51.7% | Stamford + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Stamford
$708,498
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Stamford
47.5%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $708,498 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 47.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Stamford
156
Stamford +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Stamford
1524
Stamford +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 156 | Stamford + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1524 | Stamford + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Stamford
25.5%
Stamford +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Stamford
8.6%
Stamford +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Stamford
14.4%
Stamford +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Stamford
12.3%
Stamford +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Stamford
16.4%
Stamford +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Stamford
8.7%
Stamford +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 25.5% | Stamford + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.6% | Stamford + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 14.4% | Stamford + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.3% | Stamford + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.4% | Stamford + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 8.7% | Stamford + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Stamford
52.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Stamford
53.2 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Stamford
7.7 µg/m³
Stamford +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Stamford
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.7 µg/m³ | Stamford + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Stamford
30.1 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Stamford, CT | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 30.1 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Stamford leads in median household income at $107,474, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Stamford is safer with a violent crime rate of 156 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Stamford has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Stamford scores better with a lower obesity rate of 25.5%.
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