Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Federal Way, WA
VS
Springfield, MO
🏆 Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories
Federal Way
Washington
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$80,360 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
144⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,614
Springfield
Missouri
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,450
Violent Crime Index
310⚠ High
Population
168,873 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Federal Way, WA
Pros
Households earn $36,910 more per year on average
54% less violent crime than Springfield
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 88°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 24% higher than Springfield
Springfield, MO
Pros
Homes cost $308k less ($146,400 vs $454,300)
Rent averages $782/mo less ($878 vs $1,660)
24% cheaper overall cost of living than Federal Way
Commutes run 15 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.7 pts lower (4.8%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
Cons
Median income trails Federal Way by $36,910/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
Federal Way
Median Income
$36,910
$80,360 vs $43,450/yr
Federal Way
Violent Crime
54% lower
545.4 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Springfield
Cost of Living
24% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$308k less
$146,400 vs $454,300
Springfield
Unemployment
0.7 pp lower
4.8% vs 5.5% unemployment
Springfield
Summer Heat
11.4°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 76.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Federal Way, WA | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 113.0⚠ High | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High | $146,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,660⚠ High | $878 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $80,360 ✓ Higher | $43,450 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.3 min⚠ High | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.9% ✓ Higher | 7.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 169⚠ High ✓ Safer | 266⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 144⚠ High ✓ Safer | 310⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 208⚠ High | 199⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.3:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.6% ✓ Higher | 30.0% |
| High School or Higher | 90.2% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Federal Way School District | SPRINGFIELD R-XII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer | 43.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 76.8°F | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.6" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 6.3" ✓ Less | 13.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,614 | 168,873 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 37.4 ✓ Older | 33.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.4% ✓ Higher | 42.3% |
| Under 18 | 23.0% ✓ More | 17.4% |
| Over 65 | 14.2% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Federal Way's cost of living index is 113.0 vs Springfield's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 24% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories. Federal Way wins 11 and Springfield wins 12. 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 $146,400 median home), income ($80,360 vs $43,450), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Federal Way, WA and Springfield, MO are about 1,629 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.