North Charleston SC vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Tempe
23.1%
Tempe +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 39.1% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 42.2% | 7.8% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 23.1% | Tempe + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Tempe
$59,120
Tempe +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Tempe
5.7%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Tempe
16.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Tempe + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.7% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.2% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $468,328 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 41.6% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 450 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2150 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Tempe
18.3%
Tempe +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 18.3% | Tempe + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Tempe
23.2 min
Tempe +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 23.2 min | Tempe + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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