North Charleston SC vs Visalia CA — 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%
Visalia, CA
California · Population: 135,983
- Median HH Income$70,663
- Median Home Price$397,983
- Unemployment11.6%
- Bachelor's+12.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Visalia
135,983
Visalia +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Visalia
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Visalia
32.0
Visalia +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Visalia
20.1%
Visalia +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
North Charleston +
Visalia
36.5%
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Visalia
17.1%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Visalia
4.4%
Visalia +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Visalia
55.3%
Visalia +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Visalia
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 135,983 | Visalia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 32.0 | Visalia + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 20.1% | Visalia + |
| White | 39.1% | 36.5% | North Charleston + |
| Black | 42.2% | 17.1% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.4% | Visalia + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 55.3% | Visalia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Visalia
$70,663
Visalia +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Visalia
$26,955
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Visalia
$77,230
Visalia +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Visalia
11.6%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Visalia
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
Visalia
12.4%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $70,663 | Visalia + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $26,955 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $77,230 | Visalia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 11.6% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 20.0% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 12.4% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Visalia
$397,983
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Visalia
58.5%
Visalia +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $397,983 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 58.5% | Visalia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Visalia
503
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Visalia
2388
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 503 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2388 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Visalia
32.2%
Visalia +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Visalia
11.2%
Visalia +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Visalia
17.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Visalia
13.0%
Visalia +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Visalia
16.8%
Visalia +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Visalia
12.0%
Visalia +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 32.2% | Visalia + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.2% | Visalia + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.9% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.0% | Visalia + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.8% | Visalia + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.0% | Visalia + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Visalia
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Visalia
10.9 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 10.9 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Visalia
7.9 µg/m³
Visalia +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Visalia
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.9 µg/m³ | Visalia + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Visalia
41.6 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Visalia, CA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 41.6 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Visalia leads in median household income at $70,663, 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 503 in Visalia. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Visalia has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Visalia scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.2%.
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