North Charleston SC vs Topeka KS — 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%
Topeka, KS
Kansas · Population: 126,103
- Median HH Income$55,902
- Median Home Price$193,522
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+29.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Topeka
126,103
Topeka +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Topeka
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Topeka
38.2
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Topeka
5.3%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Topeka
71.0%
Topeka +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Topeka
9.7%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Topeka
1.8%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Topeka
16.9%
Topeka +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Topeka
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 126,103 | Topeka + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.2 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 5.3% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 71.0% | Topeka + |
| Black | 42.2% | 9.7% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.8% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 16.9% | Topeka + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Topeka
$55,902
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Topeka
$33,290
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Topeka
$61,860
Topeka +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Topeka
4.9%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Topeka
15.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Topeka
29.1%
Topeka +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $55,902 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $33,290 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $61,860 | Topeka + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.9% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 15.6% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 29.1% | Topeka + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Topeka
$193,522
Topeka +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Topeka
59.2%
Topeka +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $193,522 | Topeka + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 59.2% | Topeka + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Topeka
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Topeka
2174
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Topeka
39.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Topeka
13.1%
Topeka +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Topeka
16.8%
Topeka +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Topeka
11.4%
Topeka +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Topeka
14.5%
Topeka +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Topeka
16.9%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 39.7% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.1% | Topeka + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.8% | Topeka + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.4% | Topeka + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.5% | Topeka + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.9% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Topeka
54.5°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Topeka
39.0 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.5°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 39.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Topeka
8.2 µg/m³
Topeka +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Topeka
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Topeka + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Topeka
18.3 min
Topeka +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Topeka, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 18.3 min | Topeka + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while topeka offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $193,522. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Topeka. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Topeka has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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