CostIndexUSA

Charlotte, NC vs Springfield, IL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NC
Charlotte
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableIL
Springfield
92.7
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Springfield is slightly cheaper than Charlotte — 4.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charlotte, you would need $76,200 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing26.6%
Charlotte
97.6
Springfield
71.6
🛒 Groceries3.1%
Charlotte
96.6
Springfield
93.6
🚗 Transportation+1.5%
Charlotte
103.1
Springfield
104.6
🏥 Healthcare+1.4%
Charlotte
93.3
Springfield
94.6
Utilities+1.3%
Charlotte
89.2
Springfield
90.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Charlotte to see what you'd need to earn in Springfield to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Springfield, IL
$76,200
$3,800 less needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (92.7 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 0.9527. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Charlotte, NC

Median Home Price
$380,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,700
Housing Index
97.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.6×

Springfield, IL

Median Home Price
$188,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,150
Housing Index
71.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.6×

Charlotte has 26.6% lower housing costs compared to Springfield.

Income & Job Market

Charlotte, NC

Median Household Income
$81,300
Per Capita Income
$46,300
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
879,709
Top Industries
FinanceHealthcareManufacturingTechnologyEnergy

Springfield, IL

Median Household Income
$72,200
Per Capita Income
$41,200
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
114,230
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareEducationFinanceRetail

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Charlotte, NC
4.0×income-to-rent ratio

75% of income left after rent (median)

Springfield, IL
5.2×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.