Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Detroit, MI
VS
Springfield, MO
🏆 Springfield leads 16 of 23 categories
Detroit
Michigan
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$37,761
Violent Crime Index
469⚠ High
Population
636,787 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Missouri
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,450 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
310⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
168,873
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Detroit, MI
Pros
Homes cost $80k less ($66,700 vs $146,400)
Cons
Violent crime (1781.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Springfield by $5,689/yr
Property crime (4305.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (14.7% vs 4.8%)
Springfield, MO
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 9.9 pts lower (4.8%)
34% less violent crime than Detroit
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Households earn $5,689 more per year on average
More college-educated — 30.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Rent averages $111/mo less ($878 vs $989)
Cons
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
Detroit
Median Home Value
$80k less
$66,700 vs $146,400
Springfield
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Income
$5,689
$43,450 vs $37,761/yr
Springfield
Violent Crime
34% lower
1178.1 vs 1781.3 per 100k
Springfield
Unemployment
9.9 pp lower
4.8% vs 14.7% unemployment
Springfield
Summer Heat
4.1°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 84.1°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Detroit, MI | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.0 | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $66,700 ✓ Lower | $146,400 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $989 | $878 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $37,761 | $43,450 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 14.7%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 25.7 min | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% ✓ Higher | 7.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 363⚠ High | 266⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 469⚠ High | 310⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 205⚠ High | 199⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (79) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.1:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 16.9% | 30.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 82.8% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Detroit Public Schools Community District | SPRINGFIELD R-XII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 33.0°F | 43.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.1°F | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.9" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 30.8" | 13.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 636,787 ✓ Larger | 168,873 |
| Median Age | 35.0 ✓ Older | 33.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.8% ✓ Higher | 42.3% |
| Under 18 | 24.6% ✓ More | 17.4% |
| Over 65 | 14.4% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Detroit's cost of living index is 98.0 vs Springfield's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 16 of 23 categories. Detroit wins 7 and Springfield wins 16. 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 Detroit to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($66,700 vs $146,400 median home), income ($37,761 vs $43,450), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Detroit, MI and Springfield, MO are about 648 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.