North Charleston SC vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Washington
39.1%
Washington +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.9 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 39.1% | 39.1% | Washington + |
| Black | 42.2% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 11.6% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Washington
6.5%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.5% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $580,173 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 41.1% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Washington
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Washington
1999
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 398 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1999 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
North Charleston +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 24.0% | North Charleston + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | 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
North Charleston +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 32.8 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Washington is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. 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, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
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