North Charleston SC vs Vancouver WA — 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%
Vancouver, WA
Washington · Population: 192,696
- Median HH Income$78,156
- Median Home Price$510,577
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+31.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Vancouver
192,696
Vancouver +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Vancouver
37.5
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Vancouver
13.6%
Vancouver +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Vancouver
70.6%
Vancouver +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Vancouver
3.1%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Vancouver
5.3%
Vancouver +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Vancouver
17.2%
Vancouver +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Vancouver
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 192,696 | Vancouver + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.5 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.6% | Vancouver + |
| White | 39.1% | 70.6% | Vancouver + |
| Black | 42.2% | 3.1% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 5.3% | Vancouver + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 17.2% | Vancouver + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Vancouver
$78,156
Vancouver +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Vancouver
$42,839
Vancouver +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Vancouver
$76,120
Vancouver +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Vancouver
5.6%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Vancouver
11.1%
Vancouver +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Vancouver
31.5%
Vancouver +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $78,156 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $42,839 | Vancouver + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $76,120 | Vancouver + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.6% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 11.1% | Vancouver + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 31.5% | Vancouver + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Vancouver
$510,577
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Vancouver
49.9%
Vancouver +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $510,577 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 49.9% | Vancouver + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Vancouver
383
Vancouver +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Vancouver
3409
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 383 | Vancouver + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 3409 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Vancouver
36.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Vancouver
9.9%
Vancouver +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Vancouver
19.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Vancouver
9.4%
Vancouver +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Vancouver
16.3%
Vancouver +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Vancouver
11.7%
Vancouver +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 36.2% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 9.9% | Vancouver + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 19.1% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.4% | Vancouver + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.3% | Vancouver + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 11.7% | Vancouver + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Vancouver
52.1°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Vancouver
41.6 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 52.1°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 41.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Vancouver
7.5 µg/m³
Vancouver +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Vancouver
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.5 µg/m³ | Vancouver + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Vancouver
25.1 min
Vancouver +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Vancouver, WA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 25.1 min | Vancouver + |
Which City is Right for You?
Vancouver leads in median household income at $78,156, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Vancouver is safer with a violent crime rate of 383 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Vancouver has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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