North Charleston SC vs Tucson 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%
Tucson, AZ
Arizona · Population: 543,348
- Median HH Income$54,546
- Median Home Price$324,946
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+30.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Tucson
543,348
Tucson +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Tucson
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Tucson
34.6
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Tucson
13.7%
Tucson +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Tucson
58.2%
Tucson +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Tucson
5.0%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Tucson
3.1%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Tucson
42.7%
Tucson +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Tucson
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 543,348 | Tucson + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.6 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.7% | Tucson + |
| White | 39.1% | 58.2% | Tucson + |
| Black | 42.2% | 5.0% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.1% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 42.7% | Tucson + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Tucson
$54,546
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Tucson
$31,152
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Tucson
$59,120
Tucson +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Tucson
6.4%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Tucson
18.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Tucson
30.2%
Tucson +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $54,546 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $31,152 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Tucson + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.4% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 18.8% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 30.2% | Tucson + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Tucson
$324,946
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Tucson
51.7%
Tucson +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $324,946 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 51.7% | Tucson + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Tucson
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Tucson
2150
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tucson, 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%
Tucson
33.5%
Tucson +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Tucson
11.5%
Tucson +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Tucson
18.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Tucson
15.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Tucson
14.6%
Tucson +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Tucson
12.5%
Tucson +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 33.5% | Tucson + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.5% | Tucson + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.3% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 15.7% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.6% | Tucson + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.5% | Tucson + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Tucson
69.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Tucson
12.2 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 69.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 12.2 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Tucson
7.1 µg/m³
Tucson +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Tucson
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tucson + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Tucson
23.9 min
Tucson +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tucson, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 23.9 min | Tucson + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, 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 Tucson. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Tucson has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tucson scores better with a lower obesity rate of 33.5%.
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