North Charleston SC vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
North Charleston +
Winston-Salem
37.5
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Winston-Salem
5.7%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.5 | North Charleston + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 5.7% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 42.2% | 14.9% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.3% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 8.9% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Winston-Salem +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $63,900 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $59,120 | Winston-Salem + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.6% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 16.3% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Winston-Salem +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $265,013 | Winston-Salem + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 46.8% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Winston-Salem
398
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Winston-Salem
1999
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Winston-Salem, 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%
North Charleston +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Winston-Salem +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
Winston-Salem
17.4%
Winston-Salem +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Winston-Salem +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Winston-Salem
14.4%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 42.7% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 13.1% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 17.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 12.8% | Winston-Salem + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.4% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Winston-Salem, NC | 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 +
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Winston-Salem, 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
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 20.0 min | Winston-Salem + |
Which City is Right for You?
Winston-Salem leads in median household income at $63,900, while winston-Salem offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $265,013. On public safety, Winston-Salem 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, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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