Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lancaster, CA
VS
North Charleston, SC
🏆 North Charleston leads 13 of 23 categories
Lancaster
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
115.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,367 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
220⚠ High
Population
171,465 ✓ Larger
North Charleston
South Carolina
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,534
Violent Crime Index
213⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
115,755
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Lancaster, CA
Pros
Households earn $12,833 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $368,800
Violent crime (834.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,576/mo
Cost of living runs 17% higher than North Charleston
North Charleston, SC
Pros
Homes cost $126k less ($243,300 vs $368,800)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (4.3%)
Rent averages $288/mo less ($1,288 vs $1,576)
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Lancaster
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 26.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (810.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Lancaster by $12,833/yr
Property crime (3955.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Lancaster
Median Income
$12,833
$71,367 vs $58,534/yr
Lancaster
Summer Heat
6.3°F warmer
July avg high 97.6°F vs 91.3°F
North Charleston
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 98.2 vs 115.5 (100 = US avg)
North Charleston
Violent Crime
3% lower
810.5 vs 834.7 per 100k
North Charleston
Median Home Value
$126k less
$243,300 vs $368,800
North Charleston
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
4.3% vs 7.5% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lancaster, CA | North Charleston, SC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 115.5⚠ High | 98.2 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $368,800⚠ High | $243,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,576⚠ High | $1,288 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,367 ✓ Higher | $58,534 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.5%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.9 min⚠ High | 24.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.6% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 168⚠ High ✓ Safer | 203⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 220⚠ High | 213⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 91 ✓ Safer | 188⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (63) | B (101) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 22.6:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.4% | 26.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 81.2% | 87.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Lancaster Elementary | Charleston 01 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 58.7°F | 60.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 97.6°F ✓ Warmer | 91.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 6.8" ✓ Drier | 53.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 171,465 ✓ Larger | 115,755 |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 33.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% ✓ Higher | 49.4% |
| Under 18 | 27.8% ✓ More | 23.0% |
| Over 65 | 11.2% | 11.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lancaster's cost of living index is 115.5 vs North Charleston's 98.2 (US average = 100).
North Charleston is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, North Charleston leads 13 of 23 categories. Lancaster wins 10 and North Charleston wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Lancaster to North Charleston or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($368,800 vs $243,300 median home), income ($71,367 vs $58,534), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lancaster, CA and North Charleston, SC are about 2,178 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.