North Charleston SC vs Wichita KS — 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%
Wichita, KS
Kansas · Population: 396,488
- Median HH Income$63,072
- Median Home Price$204,104
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+30.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Wichita
396,488
Wichita +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Wichita
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Wichita
35.7
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Wichita
10.0%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Wichita
66.6%
Wichita +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Wichita
9.7%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Wichita
4.9%
Wichita +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Wichita
18.4%
Wichita +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Wichita
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 396,488 | Wichita + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.7 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 10.0% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 66.6% | Wichita + |
| Black | 42.2% | 9.7% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 4.9% | Wichita + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 18.4% | Wichita + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Wichita
$63,072
Wichita +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Wichita
$35,958
Wichita +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Wichita
$61,860
Wichita +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Wichita
5.7%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Wichita
15.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Wichita
30.9%
Wichita +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $63,072 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $35,958 | Wichita + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $61,860 | Wichita + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.7% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 15.9% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 30.9% | Wichita + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Wichita
$204,104
Wichita +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Wichita
58.4%
Wichita +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $204,104 | Wichita + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 58.4% | Wichita + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Wichita
449
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Wichita
2174
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 449 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2174 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Wichita
39.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Wichita
12.6%
Wichita +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Wichita
17.7%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Wichita
12.9%
Wichita +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Wichita
15.4%
Wichita +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Wichita
16.3%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 39.5% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 12.6% | Wichita + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.7% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.9% | Wichita + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.4% | Wichita + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 16.3% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Wichita
57.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Wichita
32.6 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 57.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 32.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Wichita
8.2 µg/m³
Wichita +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Wichita
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Wichita + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Wichita
20.2 min
Wichita +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wichita, KS | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 20.2 min | Wichita + |
Which City is Right for You?
Wichita leads in median household income at $63,072, while wichita offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $204,104. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 449 in Wichita. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Wichita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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