North Charleston, SC vs Palm Desert, CA
Side-by-side comparison of housing, income, commute, safety, and quality of life.
Score Snapshot
No universal winner
Scores summarize the published model. Use the objective metric differences below and your own priorities to choose.
North Charleston
66.8
#1502 nationally
Palm Desert
66
#1595 nationally
Palm Desert leads in crime level (8.9 vs 22.2). North Charleston leads in cost of living index (102 vs 136). Palm Desert leads in median household income ($75,691 vs $58,534).
Metric-by-Metric Breakdown
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Palm Desert, CA |
|---|---|---|
| WhereAtHome Score | 66.8 (#1502) | 66 (#1595) |
| Population | 121,469 | 51,951 |
| Typical Home Value (ZHVI) | $312,277 | $544,379 |
| Median Household Income | $58,534 | $75,691 |
| Average Commute | 24.6 min | 22.4 min |
| Walk Score | 26 | 28 |
| Crime Level | 22.2 | 8.9 |
| School Rating | N/A | N/A |
| Cost of Living Index | 102 | 136 |
| Political lean County 2024 presidential margin — context only, not scored | R+16.3 | R+1.3 |
D
66.8 Score
North Charleston, SC
Mid-size South Carolina city with community character
Median Home
$312,277
Population
121,469
Crime
High
Walk Score
26
Southeast
View North Charleston, SC →
D
66 Score
Palm Desert, CA
California community balancing growth and livability
Median Home
$544,379
Population
51,951
Crime
Moderate
Walk Score
28
Pacific
View Palm Desert, CA →
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