North Charleston SC vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.4 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 9.1% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 42.2% | 18.9% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 8.9% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $427,121 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Virginia Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 36.5% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | 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
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 25.0 min | Virginia Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach 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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