North Charleston SC vs Tacoma WA — 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%
Tacoma, WA
Washington · Population: 220,482
- Median HH Income$83,857
- Median Home Price$496,966
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+33.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Tacoma
220,482
Tacoma +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Tacoma
37.3
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Tacoma
12.2%
Tacoma +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Tacoma
59.4%
Tacoma +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Tacoma
10.5%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Tacoma
8.8%
Tacoma +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Tacoma
13.1%
Tacoma +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Tacoma
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 220,482 | Tacoma + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 12.2% | Tacoma + |
| White | 39.1% | 59.4% | Tacoma + |
| Black | 42.2% | 10.5% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 8.8% | Tacoma + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 13.1% | Tacoma + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Tacoma
$83,857
Tacoma +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Tacoma
$44,756
Tacoma +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Tacoma
$76,120
Tacoma +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Tacoma
5.3%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Tacoma
12.0%
Tacoma +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Tacoma
33.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $83,857 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $44,756 | Tacoma + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,120 | Tacoma + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 12.0% | Tacoma + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 33.5% | Tacoma + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Tacoma
$496,966
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Tacoma
56.5%
Tacoma +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $496,966 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 56.5% | Tacoma + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Tacoma
383
Tacoma +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Tacoma
3409
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Tacoma + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Tacoma
37.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Tacoma
10.9%
Tacoma +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Tacoma
18.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Tacoma
9.3%
Tacoma +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Tacoma
16.8%
Tacoma +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Tacoma
11.9%
Tacoma +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 37.3% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.9% | Tacoma + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.7% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.3% | Tacoma + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.8% | Tacoma + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.9% | Tacoma + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Tacoma
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Tacoma
39.2 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 53.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Tacoma
7.5 µg/m³
Tacoma +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Tacoma
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Tacoma + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Tacoma
31.1 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tacoma, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 31.1 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tacoma leads in median household income at $83,857, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Tacoma is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tacoma has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs North Charleston, SCLos Angeles, CA vs North Charleston, SCChicago, IL vs North Charleston, SCHouston, TX vs North Charleston, SCNorth Charleston, SC vs Phoenix, AZNorth Charleston, SC vs Philadelphia, PA