North Charleston SC vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Syracuse
12.1%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Syracuse
51.9%
Syracuse +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Syracuse
27.6%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Syracuse
10.3%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 12.1% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 51.9% | Syracuse + |
| Black | 42.2% | 27.6% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 10.3% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Syracuse
30.5%
Syracuse +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $45,845 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $27,570 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 7.4% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 29.6% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 30.5% | Syracuse + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Syracuse
$215,134
Syracuse +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $215,134 | Syracuse + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 41.3% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Syracuse
9.7%
Syracuse +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 41.5% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.8% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.7% | Syracuse + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.1% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.5 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while syracuse offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,134. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Syracuse. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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