Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Green Bay, WI
VS
Springfield, MA
🏆 Green Bay leads 17 of 23 categories
Green Bay
Wisconsin
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.1 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$59,174 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
130⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
106,846
Springfield
Massachusetts
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4
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.
Green Bay, WI
Pros
44% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 4.6 pts lower (4.1%)
Households earn $11,497 more per year on average
Rent averages $183/mo less ($864 vs $1,047)
Homes cost $26k less ($172,700 vs $198,500)
Commutes run 3 min shorter each way
Cons
Violent crime (495.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Snowy winters — about 56" of snow per year
Springfield, MA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 35°F vs 25°F
Cons
Violent crime (891.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Green Bay by $11,497/yr
Property crime (2835.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.7% vs 4.1%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Green Bay
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 92.1 vs 98.4 (100 = US avg)
Green Bay
Median Income
$11,497
$59,174 vs $47,677/yr
Green Bay
Violent Crime
44% lower
495.1 vs 891.4 per 100k
Green Bay
Median Home Value
$26k less
$172,700 vs $198,500
Green Bay
Unemployment
4.6 pp lower
4.1% vs 8.7% unemployment
Springfield
Summer Heat
5.1°F warmer
July avg high 84.9°F vs 79.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Green Bay, WI | Springfield, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.1 ✓ Cheaper | 98.4 |
| Median Home Value | $172,700 ✓ Lower | $198,500 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $864 ✓ Lower | $1,047 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $59,174 ✓ Higher | $47,677 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.0 min ✓ Shorter | 21.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.6% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 103⚠ High ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 130⚠ High ✓ Safer | 235⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 62 ✓ Safer | 135⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (101) ✓ Better | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.8:1 | 11.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 25.1% ✓ Higher | 20.0% |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% ✓ Higher | 79.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Green Bay Area Public School District | Springfield |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 24.5°F | 34.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 79.8°F | 84.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 32.2" ✓ Drier | 50.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 55.6" | 51.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 106,846 | 155,305 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 35.6 ✓ Older | 33.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.2% ✓ Higher | 47.8% |
| Under 18 | 24.0% | 24.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.9% ✓ More | 13.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Green Bay's cost of living index is 92.1 vs Springfield's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Green Bay is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Green Bay leads 17 of 23 categories. Green Bay wins 17 and Springfield wins 6. 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 Green Bay to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($172,700 vs $198,500 median home), income ($59,174 vs $47,677), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Green Bay, WI and Springfield, MA are about 793 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.