CostIndexUSA

Charlotte, NC vs Springfield, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NC
Charlotte
97.3
overall index
$1,700/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Springfield
88.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Springfield is moderately cheaper than Charlotte — 8.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Charlotte, you would need $72,800 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing32.8%
Charlotte
97.6
Springfield
65.6
🛒 Groceries2.5%
Charlotte
96.6
Springfield
94.2
🚗 Transportation5.2%
Charlotte
103.1
Springfield
97.7
🏥 Healthcare5.3%
Charlotte
93.3
Springfield
88.4
Utilities3.8%
Charlotte
89.2
Springfield
85.8

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, MO
$72,800
$7,200 less needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (88.6 ÷ 97.3) = salary × 0.9106. 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, MO

Median Home Price
$260,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
65.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0×

Charlotte has 32.8% 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, MO

Median Household Income
$62,900
Per Capita Income
$35,900
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
167,882
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailFinance

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, MO
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% 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.