North Charleston SC vs Utica NY — 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%
Utica, NY
New York · Population: 51,054
- Median HH Income$57,688
- Median Home Price$205,924
- Unemployment9.4%
- Bachelor's+36.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Utica
51,054
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Utica
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Utica
33.0
Utica +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Utica
9.7%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Utica
64.8%
Utica +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Utica
16.9%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Utica
4.3%
Utica +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Utica
9.8%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 51,054 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.0 | Utica + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 9.7% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 64.8% | Utica + |
| Black | 42.2% | 16.9% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.3% | Utica + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 9.8% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Utica
$57,688
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Utica
$35,780
Utica +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Utica
$77,425
Utica +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Utica
9.4%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Utica
23.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Utica
36.8%
Utica +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $57,688 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $35,780 | Utica + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,425 | Utica + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 9.4% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 23.8% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 36.8% | Utica + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Utica
$205,924
Utica +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Utica
36.8%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $205,924 | Utica + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 36.8% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Utica
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Utica
1736
Utica +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 434 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1736 | Utica + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Utica
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Utica
14.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Utica
19.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Utica
11.1%
Utica +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Utica
15.2%
Utica +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Utica
18.7%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 39.6% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.1% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 19.4% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 11.1% | Utica + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.2% | Utica + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 18.7% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Utica
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Utica
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Utica, NY | 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
Utica
8.1 µg/m³
Utica +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Utica
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Utica + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Utica
22.7 min
Utica +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Utica, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 22.7 min | Utica + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while utica offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $205,924. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 434 in Utica. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Utica has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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