North Charleston SC vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Waco
9.8%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Waco
54.0%
Waco +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Waco
20.4%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 9.8% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 54.0% | Waco + |
| Black | 42.2% | 20.4% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.0% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Waco
$63,758
Waco +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Waco
4.4%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Waco
28.6%
Waco +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $51,468 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $28,819 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $63,758 | Waco + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.4% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 24.0% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 28.6% | Waco + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Waco
$196,465
Waco +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Waco
48.9%
Waco +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $196,465 | Waco + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 48.9% | Waco + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Waco
2339
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 442 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2339 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Waco
36.8%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Waco
13.0%
Waco +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 36.8% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.0% | Waco + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.4% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 20.4% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 15.1% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Waco
36.4 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 36.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
Waco
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Waco
19.7 min
Waco +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 19.7 min | Waco + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while waco offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $196,465. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. 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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