Performance
Score Breakdown
North Charleston
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
51% higher compared to North Charleston.
Housing costs are a major driver: North Charleston's average rent is
97% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | North Charleston | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,870 | $950 | +97% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,870 | $1,900 | +51% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
North Charleston offers 32% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, North Charleston delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in North Charleston is estimated at
$55,000 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | North Charleston | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $62,956 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | North Charleston | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to North Charleston.
North Charleston scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, North Charleston leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | North Charleston | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 26.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
North Charleston is the larger city
— approximately 2.3x the population of Springfield.
From a growth perspective, North Charleston is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, North Charleston has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | North Charleston | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 131,980 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.12% | % |
| Median Age | 34.6 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.30% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
North Charleston
Advantages
More affordable housing and cost of living compared to downtown Charleston.
Growing job market with diverse industries like aerospace, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Strategic location with excellent access to major transportation routes and the Port of Charleston.
Good quality of life with a variety of amenities, entertainment, and recreational opportunities.
Slight moderation in price growth in the housing market, leading to a more balanced environment for buyers.
Drawbacks
Higher crime rates compared to the South Carolina and national averages.
Car-dependent transportation system with lower walkability and transit scores.
Wages have not kept pace with the rapid increase in rental costs in some areas.
While stabilizing, the housing market has seen significant price appreciation in recent years.
Some population groups face greater challenges accessing employment within the city.
Springfield
Advantages
Cost of living is approximately 15% below the national average, with housing costs running about 46% below the national norm. [25]
Median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is approximately $920 per month, significantly lower than the national average of $1,430. [25]
The median home value in Springfield is $102,100, which is 64% below the national average. [41]
Springfield has a lower rent-to-income ratio compared to other small metros in Ohio, indicating better rental affordability. [14]
The city is actively working on downtown revitalization, with new residential housing and entertainment venues. [30]
Drawbacks
Springfield has a high crime rate, significantly above both state and national averages, with a concerning trend in violent and property crimes. [9, 26]
The violent crime rate in Springfield is 1371.1 per 100,000 residents, which is substantially higher than the national average. [9]
Springfield has one of the highest crime rates in America, with a chance of becoming a victim of crime being one in 17. [26]
The city's walkability score is very low, indicating a high dependency on cars for transportation. [22, 38]
The median household income of $47,143 is below the national average, and the poverty rate is 23.1%, higher than the national average. [3, 39]
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
North Charleston
#28South Carolina, USA
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,870
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
26.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.12%
Unemployment
3.30%
Livability
74
Business
68
Springfield
#116Ohio, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$49,276
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
13.0/10
Walkability
6.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
70
Business
60
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