North Charleston SC vs Thornton CO — 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%
Thornton, CO
Colorado · Population: 142,878
- Median HH Income$100,985
- Median Home Price$505,085
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+32.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Thornton
142,878
Thornton +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Thornton
34.3
Tie
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Thornton
14.5%
Thornton +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Thornton
63.5%
Thornton +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Thornton
2.2%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Thornton
5.8%
Thornton +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Thornton
37.4%
Thornton +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 142,878 | Thornton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.3 | Tie |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 14.5% | Thornton + |
| White | 39.1% | 63.5% | Thornton + |
| Black | 42.2% | 2.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 5.8% | Thornton + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 37.4% | Thornton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Thornton
$100,985
Thornton +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Thornton
$41,869
Thornton +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Thornton
$76,653
Thornton +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Thornton
4.6%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Thornton
7.3%
Thornton +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Thornton
32.2%
Thornton +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $100,985 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $41,869 | Thornton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,653 | Thornton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 7.3% | Thornton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 32.2% | Thornton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Thornton
$505,085
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Thornton
73.1%
Thornton +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $505,085 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 73.1% | Thornton + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Thornton
512
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Thornton
3234
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 512 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3234 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Thornton
31.8%
Thornton +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Thornton
8.8%
Thornton +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Thornton
17.0%
Thornton +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Thornton
15.2%
Thornton +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Thornton
17.4%
Thornton +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Thornton
12.6%
Thornton +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 31.8% | Thornton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 8.8% | Thornton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.0% | Thornton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.2% | Thornton + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.4% | Thornton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.6% | Thornton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Thornton
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Thornton
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | 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
Thornton
6.2 µg/m³
Thornton +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Thornton
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 6.2 µg/m³ | Thornton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Thornton
32.8 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Thornton, CO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 32.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Thornton leads in median household income at $100,985, 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 512 in Thornton. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Thornton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 6.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Thornton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.8%.
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