Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Arlington, TX
VS
Springfield, MO
🏆 Arlington leads 14 of 22 categories
Arlington
Texas
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,736 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
127⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
393,469 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Missouri
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,450
Violent Crime Index
310⚠ High
Population
168,873
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Arlington, TX
Pros
Households earn $28,286 more per year on average
59% less violent crime than Springfield
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 43°F
Cons
Violent crime (482.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Springfield
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 4.8%)
Springfield, MO
Pros
Homes cost $105k less ($146,400 vs $251,300)
Rent averages $419/mo less ($878 vs $1,297)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Arlington
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (4.8%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
Cons
Median income trails Arlington by $28,286/yr
Violent crime (1178.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4184.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Arlington
Median Income
$28,286
$71,736 vs $43,450/yr
Arlington
Violent Crime
59% lower
482.9 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Arlington
Summer Heat
7.7°F warmer
July avg high 95.9°F vs 88.2°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$105k less
$146,400 vs $251,300
Springfield
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
4.8% vs 5.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Arlington, TX | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $251,300 | $146,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,297 | $878 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,736 ✓ Higher | $43,450 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.8% ✓ Higher | 7.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 122⚠ High ✓ Safer | 266⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 310⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) | B+ (105) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 32.4% ✓ Higher | 30.0% |
| High School or Higher | 85.9% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ARLINGTON ISD | SPRINGFIELD R-XII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.9°F ✓ Warmer | 43.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.9°F ✓ Warmer | 88.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.8" ✓ Less | 13.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 393,469 ✓ Larger | 168,873 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 33.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% ✓ Higher | 42.3% |
| Under 18 | 25.3% ✓ More | 17.4% |
| Over 65 | 11.1% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Arlington's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Springfield's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Arlington leads 14 of 22 categories. Arlington wins 14 and Springfield wins 8. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Arlington to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($251,300 vs $146,400 median home), income ($71,736 vs $43,450), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Arlington, TX and Springfield, MO are about 379 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.