North Charleston SC 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)
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, 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
North Charleston
117,460
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
North Charleston
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
North Charleston
34.3
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
North Charleston
12.2%
North Charleston +
Springfield
3.8%
White
North Charleston
39.1%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
North Charleston
42.2%
North Charleston +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
North Charleston
3.5%
North Charleston +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
North Charleston
12.8%
North Charleston +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
North Charleston
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 117,460 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 12.2% | 3.8% | North Charleston + |
| White | 39.1% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 42.2% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Asian | 3.5% | 1.7% | North Charleston + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 5.6% | North Charleston + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
North Charleston
$62,789
North Charleston +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
North Charleston
$35,740
North Charleston +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
North Charleston
$54,550
Springfield
$58,527
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
North Charleston
4.3%
North Charleston +
Springfield
4.3%
Poverty Rate
North Charleston
15.5%
North Charleston +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
North Charleston
28.0%
Springfield
30.3%
Springfield +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $62,789 | $45,984 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Income | $35,740 | $30,864 | North Charleston + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $54,550 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | North Charleston + |
| Poverty Rate | 15.5% | 19.4% | North Charleston + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 28.0% | 30.3% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
North Charleston
$313,219
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
North Charleston
48.5%
North Charleston +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $313,219 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 42.9% | North Charleston + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
398
North Charleston +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
North Charleston
1999
North Charleston +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 398 | 501 | North Charleston + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1999 | 2418 | North Charleston + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
35.2%
North Charleston +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
13.2%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
North Charleston
17.5%
North Charleston +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
15.3%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
19.8%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
North Charleston
14.3%
North Charleston +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.2% | 37.7% | North Charleston + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.2% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.5% | 20.0% | North Charleston + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.8% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.3% | 17.1% | North Charleston + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
North Charleston
N/A
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 56.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 45.6 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
North Charleston
8.6 µg/m³
North Charleston +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
North Charleston
75.0%
North Charleston +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | North Charleston + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | North Charleston + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
North Charleston
26.8 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | North Charleston, SC | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 26.8 min | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, North Charleston is safer with a violent crime rate of 398 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and North Charleston has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, North Charleston scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.2%.
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