North Charleston SC 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)
North Charleston, SC
South Carolina · Population: 117,460
- Median HH Income$62,789
- Median Home Price$313,219
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+28.0%
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
North Charleston
117,460
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Springfield
10.2%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Springfield
40.8%
Springfield +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Springfield
20.0%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 154,751 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 10.2% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 40.8% | Springfield + |
| Black | 42.2% | 20.0% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 2.8% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
North Charleston +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $51,339 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $27,054 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 8.2% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 25.3% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 19.7% | North Charleston + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | 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
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
North Charleston +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 39.6% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 14.8% | North Charleston + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 21.1% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.5% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
North Charleston leads in median household income at $62,789, 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 North Charleston. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs North Charleston, SCLos Angeles, CA vs North Charleston, SCChicago, IL vs North Charleston, SCHouston, TX vs North Charleston, SCNorth Charleston, SC vs Phoenix, AZNorth Charleston, SC vs Philadelphia, PA