North Charleston SC vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
North Charleston
117,460
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Worcester
58.0%
Worcester +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 39.1% | 58.0% | Worcester + |
| Black | 42.2% | 12.1% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
Worcester
$35,825
Worcester +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Worcester
6.4%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Worcester
34.1%
Worcester +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $35,825 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 6.4% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 19.8% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 34.1% | Worcester + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
North Charleston +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $435,532 | North Charleston + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 42.4% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Worcester
35.3%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Worcester
8.7%
Worcester +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Worcester
17.1%
Worcester +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Worcester
14.5%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 35.3% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 19.9% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 8.7% | Worcester + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 17.1% | Worcester + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 14.5% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 48.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
North Charleston +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 27.3 min | North Charleston + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while north Charleston offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $313,219. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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