Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Federal Way, WA
VS
Springfield, MA
🏆 Federal Way leads 13 of 23 categories
Federal Way
Washington
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$80,360 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
144⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,614
Springfield
Massachusetts
10
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.
Federal Way, WA
Pros
Households earn $32,683 more per year on average
39% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.2 pts lower (5.5%)
More college-educated — 30.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 35°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 85°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Higher rents — median is $1,660/mo
Violent crime (545.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Springfield
Springfield, MA
Pros
Homes cost $256k less ($198,500 vs $454,300)
Rent averages $613/mo less ($1,047 vs $1,660)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Federal Way
Smaller class sizes — 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Federal Way by $32,683/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
Federal Way
Median Income
$32,683
$80,360 vs $47,677/yr
Federal Way
Violent Crime
39% lower
545.4 vs 891.4 per 100k
Federal Way
Unemployment
3.2 pp lower
5.5% vs 8.7% unemployment
Springfield
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$256k less
$198,500 vs $454,300
Springfield
Summer Heat
8.1°F warmer
July avg high 84.9°F vs 76.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Federal Way, WA | Springfield, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 113.0⚠ High | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High | $198,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,660⚠ High | $1,047 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $80,360 ✓ Higher | $47,677 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.3 min⚠ High | 21.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.9% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 169⚠ High ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 144⚠ High ✓ Safer | 235⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 208⚠ High | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.3:1 | 11.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.6% ✓ Higher | 20.0% |
| High School or Higher | 90.2% ✓ Higher | 79.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Federal Way School District | Springfield |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer | 34.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 76.8°F | 84.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.6" ✓ Drier | 50.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 6.3" ✓ Less | 51.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,614 | 155,305 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.4 ✓ Older | 33.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.4% ✓ Higher | 47.8% |
| Under 18 | 23.0% | 24.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.2% ✓ More | 13.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Federal Way's cost of living index is 113.0 vs Springfield's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Federal Way leads 13 of 23 categories. Federal Way wins 13 and Springfield wins 10. 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 Federal Way to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($454,300 vs $198,500 median home), income ($80,360 vs $47,677), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Federal Way, WA and Springfield, MA are about 2,429 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.