North Charleston SC vs Wilmington NC — 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%
Wilmington, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Wilmington
35.6
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Wilmington
10.7%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Wilmington
48.7%
Wilmington +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Wilmington
32.4%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 35.6 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 10.7% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 48.7% | Wilmington + |
| Black | 42.2% | 32.4% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.3% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Wilmington
$59,120
Wilmington +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Wilmington
5.9%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $57,673 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $35,074 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Wilmington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.9% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 17.9% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Wilmington
54.6%
Wilmington +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $419,326 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 54.6% | Wilmington + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Wilmington
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Wilmington
1999
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wilmington, NC | 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%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Wilmington
17.4%
Wilmington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Wilmington
9.6%
Wilmington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Wilmington
17.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.4% | Wilmington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 9.6% | Wilmington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.4 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Wilmington
23.2 min
Wilmington +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 23.2 min | Wilmington + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Wilmington 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, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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