North Charleston SC vs Tulsa OK — 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%
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma · Population: 412,322
- Median HH Income$58,407
- Median Home Price$220,279
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+33.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Tulsa
412,322
Tulsa +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Tulsa
35.5
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Tulsa
11.9%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Tulsa
57.0%
Tulsa +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Tulsa
14.2%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Tulsa
3.5%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Tulsa
19.2%
Tulsa +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Tulsa
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 412,322 | Tulsa + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.5 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 11.9% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 57.0% | Tulsa + |
| Black | 42.2% | 14.2% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 19.2% | Tulsa + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Tulsa
$58,407
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Tulsa
$37,533
Tulsa +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Tulsa
$57,929
Tulsa +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Tulsa
6.1%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Tulsa
18.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Tulsa
33.3%
Tulsa +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $58,407 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $37,533 | Tulsa + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $57,929 | Tulsa + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.1% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 18.6% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 33.3% | Tulsa + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Tulsa
$220,279
Tulsa +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Tulsa
52.0%
Tulsa +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $220,279 | Tulsa + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 52.0% | Tulsa + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Tulsa
429
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Tulsa
2375
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 429 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2375 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Tulsa
37.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Tulsa
12.8%
Tulsa +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Tulsa
18.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Tulsa
14.4%
Tulsa +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Tulsa
12.9%
Tulsa +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Tulsa
16.3%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 37.5% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.8% | Tulsa + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 18.8% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 14.4% | Tulsa + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 12.9% | Tulsa + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Tulsa
60.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Tulsa
41.0 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 60.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.0 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Tulsa
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Tulsa
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Tulsa
20.2 min
Tulsa +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Tulsa, OK | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 20.2 min | Tulsa + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while tulsa offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $220,279. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 429 in Tulsa. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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