North Charleston SC vs Temecula CA — 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%
Temecula, CA
California · Population: 110,404
- Median HH Income$117,840
- Median Home Price$769,756
- Unemployment5.8%
- Bachelor's+39.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Temecula
110,404
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Temecula
36.3
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Temecula
57.0%
Temecula +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Temecula
4.3%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Temecula
11.5%
Temecula +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Temecula
28.5%
Temecula +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 110,404 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 36.3 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 16.6% | Temecula + |
| White | 39.1% | 57.0% | Temecula + |
| Black | 42.2% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 11.5% | Temecula + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 28.5% | Temecula + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Temecula
$117,840
Temecula +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Temecula
$44,826
Temecula +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Temecula
$77,230
Temecula +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Temecula
5.8%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Temecula
7.4%
Temecula +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Temecula
39.2%
Temecula +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $117,840 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $44,826 | Temecula + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Temecula + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.8% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 7.4% | Temecula + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 39.2% | Temecula + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Temecula
$769,756
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Temecula
67.7%
Temecula +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $769,756 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 67.7% | Temecula + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Temecula
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Temecula
2388
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Temecula
33.0%
Temecula +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Temecula
9.6%
Temecula +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Temecula
16.6%
Temecula +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Temecula
6.8%
Temecula +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Temecula
15.9%
Temecula +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Temecula
9.8%
Temecula +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 33.0% | Temecula + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.6% | Temecula + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.6% | Temecula + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.8% | Temecula + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.9% | Temecula + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 9.8% | Temecula + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Temecula
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Temecula
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Temecula
7.9 µg/m³
Temecula +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Temecula
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Temecula + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Temecula
38.7 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Temecula, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 38.7 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Temecula leads in median household income at $117,840, 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 503 in Temecula. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Temecula has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Temecula scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.0%.
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