North Charleston SC vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Tallahassee
35.7%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 8.0% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 42.2% | 35.7% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 8.6% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Tallahassee
$65,328
Tallahassee +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Tallahassee
6.5%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $55,931 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $35,704 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Tallahassee + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.5% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 23.2% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 39.5% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tallahassee +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.3% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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