North Charleston SC vs Sugar Land TX — 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%
Sugar Land, TX
Texas · Population: 109,735
- Median HH Income$137,511
- Median Home Price$449,058
- Unemployment4.5%
- Bachelor's+62.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Sugar Land
109,735
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Sugar Land
42.5
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Sugar Land
35.3%
Sugar Land +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Sugar Land
40.6%
Sugar Land +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Sugar Land
7.7%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Sugar Land
39.5%
Sugar Land +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Sugar Land
12.3%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Sugar Land
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 109,735 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 42.5 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 35.3% | Sugar Land + |
| White | 39.1% | 40.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Black | 42.2% | 7.7% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 39.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 12.3% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Sugar Land
$137,511
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Sugar Land
$60,258
Sugar Land +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Sugar Land
$63,758
Sugar Land +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Sugar Land
4.5%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Sugar Land
5.1%
Sugar Land +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Sugar Land
62.4%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $137,511 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $60,258 | Sugar Land + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | Sugar Land + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.5% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 5.1% | Sugar Land + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 62.4% | Sugar Land + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Sugar Land
$449,058
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Sugar Land
80.1%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $449,058 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 80.1% | Sugar Land + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Sugar Land
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Sugar Land
2339
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Sugar Land
24.8%
Sugar Land +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Sugar Land
12.2%
Sugar Land +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Sugar Land
8.5%
Sugar Land +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Sugar Land
13.6%
Sugar Land +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Sugar Land
8.2%
Sugar Land +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 24.8% | Sugar Land + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 12.2% | Sugar Land + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.5% | Sugar Land + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 13.6% | Sugar Land + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 8.2% | Sugar Land + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Sugar Land
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Sugar Land
50.4 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Sugar Land
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
Sugar Land
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 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 +
Sugar Land
31.6 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Sugar Land, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 31.6 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Sugar Land leads in median household income at $137,511, while 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 442 in Sugar Land. 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, Sugar Land scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.8%.
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