Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Glendale, AZ
VS
Springfield, MO
🏆 Glendale leads 13 of 23 categories
Glendale
Arizona
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.6
Median Household Income
$66,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
129⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
248,083 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Missouri
10
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.
Glendale, AZ
Pros
59% less violent crime than Springfield
Households earn $22,925 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 65°F vs 43°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $310,000
Violent crime (488.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2670.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (5.7% vs 4.8%)
Springfield, MO
Pros
Homes cost $164k less ($146,400 vs $310,000)
Rent averages $390/mo less ($878 vs $1,268)
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.9 pts lower (4.8%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 105°F
More college-educated — 30.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Glendale by $22,925/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
Glendale
Median Income
$22,925
$66,375 vs $43,450/yr
Glendale
Violent Crime
59% lower
488.4 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Glendale
Summer Heat
16.7°F warmer
July avg high 104.9°F vs 88.2°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 97.6 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$164k less
$146,400 vs $310,000
Springfield
Unemployment
0.9 pp lower
4.8% vs 5.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Glendale, AZ | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.6 | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $310,000⚠ High | $146,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,268 | $878 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $66,375 ✓ Higher | $43,450 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.7%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.3 min⚠ High | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.3% ✓ Higher | 7.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 128⚠ High ✓ Safer | 266⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer | 310⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 127⚠ High ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.6:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.6% | 30.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 84.1% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Peoria Unified School District (4237) | SPRINGFIELD R-XII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.4°F ✓ Warmer | 43.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.9°F ✓ Warmer | 88.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.2" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.2" ✓ Less | 13.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 248,083 ✓ Larger | 168,873 |
| Median Age | 34.1 ✓ Older | 33.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.2% ✓ Higher | 42.3% |
| Under 18 | 25.3% ✓ More | 17.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.8% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Glendale's cost of living index is 97.6 vs Springfield's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Glendale leads 13 of 23 categories. Glendale 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 Glendale to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($310,000 vs $146,400 median home), income ($66,375 vs $43,450), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Glendale, AZ and Springfield, MO are about 1,092 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.