Charlotte NC vs Springfield MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Charlotte, NC
North Carolina · Population: 886,283
- Median HH Income$78,438
- Median Home Price$399,070
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+47.4%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Charlotte +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 154,751 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 10.2% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 40.8% | Charlotte + |
| Black | 34.1% | 20.0% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 2.8% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Charlotte +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $51,339 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $27,054 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 8.2% | Charlotte + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 25.3% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 19.7% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Springfield
49.5%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 49.5% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 39.6% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 14.8% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 21.1% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 13.7% | Charlotte + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 17.5% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Charlotte leads in median household income at $78,438, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 398 in Charlotte. Charlotte has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
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