North Charleston SC vs Tampa 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%
Tampa, FL
Florida · Population: 393,389
- Median HH Income$71,302
- Median Home Price$376,530
- Unemployment4.7%
- Bachelor's+44.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Tampa
393,389
Tampa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Tampa
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Tampa
35.6
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Tampa
19.0%
Tampa +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Tampa
51.8%
Tampa +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Tampa
21.3%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Tampa
4.8%
Tampa +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Tampa
26.2%
Tampa +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Tampa
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 393,389 | Tampa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.6 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 19.0% | Tampa + |
| White | 39.1% | 51.8% | Tampa + |
| Black | 42.2% | 21.3% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.8% | Tampa + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 26.2% | Tampa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Tampa
$71,302
Tampa +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Tampa
$49,513
Tampa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Tampa
$65,328
Tampa +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Tampa
4.7%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Tampa
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Tampa
44.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $71,302 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $49,513 | Tampa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | Tampa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.7% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 15.9% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 44.6% | Tampa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Tampa
$376,530
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Tampa
50.2%
Tampa +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $376,530 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 50.2% | Tampa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Tampa
324
Tampa +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Tampa
1453
Tampa +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | Tampa + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | Tampa + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Tampa
31.9%
Tampa +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Tampa
12.5%
Tampa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Tampa
17.4%
Tampa +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Tampa
15.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Tampa
16.7%
Tampa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Tampa
12.6%
Tampa +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 31.9% | Tampa + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.5% | Tampa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.4% | Tampa + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.9% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.7% | Tampa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.6% | Tampa + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Tampa
73.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Tampa
46.3 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 73.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 46.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Tampa
7.2 µg/m³
Tampa +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Tampa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tampa + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Tampa
26.8 min
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tampa, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 26.8 min | Tie |
Which City is Right for You?
Tampa leads in median household income at $71,302, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Tampa 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 Tampa has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tampa scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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