North Charleston SC vs West Palm Beach FL — 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
West Palm Beach
31.5%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 40.2 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 39.1% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 42.2% | 31.5% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.5% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.4% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $399,650 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
North Charleston +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.7% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.9% | North Charleston + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 25.0 min | West Palm Beach + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs North Charleston, SCLos Angeles, CA vs North Charleston, SCChicago, IL vs North Charleston, SCHouston, TX vs North Charleston, SCNorth Charleston, SC vs Phoenix, AZNorth Charleston, SC vs Philadelphia, PA