Charlotte NC vs Springfield MO — 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Charlotte
886,283
Charlotte +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Charlotte
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Charlotte
34.4
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Charlotte
18.1%
Charlotte +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Charlotte
41.5%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Charlotte
34.1%
Charlotte +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Charlotte
6.3%
Charlotte +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Charlotte
17.0%
Charlotte +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Charlotte
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 886,283 | 169,432 | Charlotte + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.4 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 18.1% | 3.8% | Charlotte + |
| White | 41.5% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 34.1% | 4.3% | Charlotte + |
| Asian | 6.3% | 1.7% | Charlotte + |
| Hispanic | 17.0% | 5.6% | Charlotte + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Charlotte
$78,438
Charlotte +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Charlotte
$49,991
Charlotte +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Charlotte
$59,120
Charlotte +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Charlotte
4.4%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Charlotte
11.7%
Charlotte +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Charlotte
47.4%
Charlotte +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $78,438 | $45,984 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Income | $49,991 | $30,864 | Charlotte + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Charlotte + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.4% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.7% | 19.4% | Charlotte + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 47.4% | 30.3% | Charlotte + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Charlotte
$399,070
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Charlotte
51.5%
Charlotte +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $399,070 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 42.9% | Charlotte + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
398
Charlotte +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Charlotte
1999
Charlotte +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | Charlotte + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | Charlotte + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
30.1%
Charlotte +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
10.1%
Charlotte +
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Charlotte
16.4%
Charlotte +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
15.4%
Charlotte +
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Charlotte
11.4%
Charlotte +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 30.1% | 37.7% | Charlotte + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.1% | 11.1% | Charlotte + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.4% | 20.0% | Charlotte + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 15.6% | Charlotte + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.4% | 17.1% | Charlotte + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
59.9°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Charlotte
41.6 in
Charlotte +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 59.9°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 41.6 in | 45.6 in | Charlotte + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Charlotte
8.7 µg/m³
Charlotte +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Charlotte
75.0%
Charlotte +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.7 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Charlotte + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Charlotte + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Charlotte
26.7 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Charlotte, NC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.7 min | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Charlotte is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Charlotte has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Charlotte scores better with a lower obesity rate of 30.1%.
Compare More Cities
Charlotte, NC vs New York, NYCharlotte, NC vs Los Angeles, CACharlotte, NC vs Chicago, ILCharlotte, NC vs Houston, TXCharlotte, NC vs Phoenix, AZCharlotte, NC vs Philadelphia, PA