North Charleston SC vs Sterling Heights MI — 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%
Sterling Heights, MI
Michigan · Population: 133,473
- Median HH Income$78,429
- Median Home Price$309,742
- Unemployment6.2%
- Bachelor's+31.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Sterling Heights
133,473
Sterling Heights +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Sterling Heights
41.5
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Sterling Heights
27.4%
Sterling Heights +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Sterling Heights
78.9%
Sterling Heights +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Sterling Heights
6.6%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Sterling Heights
9.0%
Sterling Heights +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Sterling Heights
2.4%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 133,473 | Sterling Heights + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 41.5 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 27.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| White | 39.1% | 78.9% | Sterling Heights + |
| Black | 42.2% | 6.6% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 9.0% | Sterling Heights + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 2.4% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Sterling Heights
$78,429
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Sterling Heights
$37,315
Sterling Heights +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Sterling Heights
$58,052
Sterling Heights +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Sterling Heights
6.2%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Sterling Heights
10.6%
Sterling Heights +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Sterling Heights
31.2%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $78,429 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $37,315 | Sterling Heights + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,052 | Sterling Heights + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 10.6% | Sterling Heights + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 31.2% | Sterling Heights + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Sterling Heights
$309,742
Sterling Heights +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Sterling Heights
76.4%
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $309,742 | Sterling Heights + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 76.4% | Sterling Heights + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Sterling Heights
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Sterling Heights
1590
Sterling Heights +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Sterling Heights + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Sterling Heights
36.0%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Sterling Heights
11.5%
Sterling Heights +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Sterling Heights
17.2%
Sterling Heights +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Sterling Heights
6.7%
Sterling Heights +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Sterling Heights
16.4%
Sterling Heights +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Sterling Heights
15.3%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 36.0% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.5% | Sterling Heights + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.2% | Sterling Heights + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.7% | Sterling Heights + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.4% | Sterling Heights + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Sterling Heights
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sterling Heights, MI | 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 +
Sterling Heights
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
Sterling Heights
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 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
North Charleston +
Sterling Heights
27.5 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sterling Heights, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 27.5 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sterling Heights leads in median household income at $78,429, while sterling Heights offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $309,742. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Sterling Heights. 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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