Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
North Charleston, SC
🏆 Modesto leads 13 of 23 categories
Modesto
California
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
218,308 ✓ Larger
North Charleston
South Carolina
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.2 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$58,534
Violent Crime Index
213⚠ High
Population
115,755
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Modesto, CA
Pros
19% less violent crime than North Charleston
Households earn $14,841 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Higher unemployment (7.8% vs 4.3%)
North Charleston, SC
Pros
Homes cost $139k less ($243,300 vs $381,800)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.5 pts lower (4.3%)
Rent averages $209/mo less ($1,288 vs $1,497)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 26.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
7% cheaper overall cost of living than Modesto
Cons
Violent crime (810.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Modesto by $14,841/yr
Property crime (3955.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Median Income
$14,841
$73,375 vs $58,534/yr
Modesto
Violent Crime
19% lower
655.7 vs 810.5 per 100k
Modesto
Summer Heat
3.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 91.3°F
North Charleston
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 98.2 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
North Charleston
Median Home Value
$139k less
$243,300 vs $381,800
North Charleston
Unemployment
3.5 pp lower
4.3% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | North Charleston, SC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 98.2 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High | $243,300 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High | $1,288 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 ✓ Higher | $58,534 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 4.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 24.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% ✓ Higher | 6.6% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 203⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 213⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 188⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | B (101) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 26.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 87.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Charleston 01 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F | 60.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 91.3°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 53.6" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 0.3" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 115,755 |
| Median Age | 34.9 ✓ Older | 33.8 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% ✓ Higher | 49.4% |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 23.0% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 11.7% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs North Charleston's 98.2 (US average = 100).
North Charleston is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Modesto leads 13 of 23 categories. Modesto wins 13 and North Charleston wins 10. 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 Modesto to North Charleston or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $243,300 median home), income ($73,375 vs $58,534), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and North Charleston, SC are about 2,314 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.