Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Fairfield, CA
VS
Springfield, MA
🏆 Fairfield leads 16 of 23 categories
Fairfield
California
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
109.2⚠ High
Median Household Income
$98,857 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
131⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
119,420
Springfield
Massachusetts
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$47,677
Violent Crime Index
235⚠ High
Population
155,305 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Fairfield, CA
Pros
Households earn $51,180 more per year on average
44% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (5.5%)
Milder winters — January highs near 57°F vs 35°F
More college-educated — 27.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $546,200
Higher rents — median is $2,047/mo
Violent crime (498.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 11% higher than Springfield
Springfield, MA
Pros
Homes cost $348k less ($198,500 vs $546,200)
Rent averages $1000/mo less ($1,047 vs $2,047)
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
11% cheaper overall cost of living than Fairfield
Smaller class sizes — 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Fairfield by $51,180/yr
Violent crime (891.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2835.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.7% vs 5.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Fairfield
Median Income
$51,180
$98,857 vs $47,677/yr
Fairfield
Violent Crime
44% lower
498.0 vs 891.4 per 100k
Fairfield
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
5.5% vs 8.7% unemployment
Fairfield
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 89.6°F vs 84.9°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
11% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 109.2 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$348k less
$198,500 vs $546,200
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Fairfield, CA | Springfield, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 109.2⚠ High | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $546,200⚠ High | $198,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,047⚠ High | $1,047 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $98,857 ✓ Higher | $47,677 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.3 min⚠ High | 21.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 9.8% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 111⚠ High ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 131⚠ High ✓ Safer | 235⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 80 ✓ Safer | 135⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 24.1:1 | 11.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.8% ✓ Higher | 20.0% |
| High School or Higher | 87.0% ✓ Higher | 79.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Fairfield-Suisun Unified | Springfield |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.6°F ✓ Warmer | 34.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.6°F ✓ Warmer | 84.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 24.5" ✓ Drier | 50.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 51.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 119,420 | 155,305 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.8 ✓ Older | 33.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.3% ✓ Higher | 47.8% |
| Under 18 | 24.7% ✓ More | 24.4% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 13.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Fairfield's cost of living index is 109.2 vs Springfield's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 11% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Fairfield leads 16 of 23 categories. Fairfield wins 16 and Springfield wins 7. 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 Fairfield to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($546,200 vs $198,500 median home), income ($98,857 vs $47,677), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Fairfield, CA and Springfield, MA are about 2,589 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.