North Charleston SC vs Westland MI — 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%
Westland, MI
Michigan · Population: 84,155
- Median HH Income$62,216
- Median Home Price$215,089
- Unemployment5.3%
- Bachelor's+21.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
North Charleston +
Westland
84,155
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Westland
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Westland
38.2
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Westland
9.2%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Westland
63.7%
Westland +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Westland
22.6%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Westland
3.8%
Westland +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Westland
5.0%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 84,155 | North Charleston + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 38.2 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 9.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 63.7% | Westland + |
| Black | 42.2% | 22.6% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 3.8% | Westland + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 5.0% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Westland
$62,216
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Westland
$33,816
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Westland
$58,052
Westland +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Westland
5.3%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
Westland
13.3%
Westland +
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
Westland
21.7%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $62,216 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $33,816 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,052 | Westland + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 13.3% | Westland + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 21.7% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Westland
$215,089
Westland +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Westland
61.1%
Westland +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $215,089 | Westland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 61.1% | Westland + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Westland
471
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Westland
1590
Westland +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 471 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1590 | Westland + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
Westland
34.7%
Westland +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Westland
12.3%
Westland +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Westland
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Westland
7.3%
Westland +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Westland
15.6%
Westland +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Westland
16.6%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 34.7% | Westland + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.3% | Westland + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.0% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 7.3% | Westland + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.6% | Westland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.6% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Westland
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Westland
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Westland, MI | 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 +
Westland
10.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
Westland
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 10.7 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
North Charleston +
Westland
27.0 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Westland, MI | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 27.0 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while westland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $215,089. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 471 in Westland. 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, Westland scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.7%.
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