Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hartford, CT
VS
Springfield, MO
🏆 Springfield leads 18 of 23 categories
Hartford
Connecticut
5
wins
Cost of Living Index
96.1
Median Household Income
$41,841
Violent Crime Index
136⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
121,057
Springfield
Missouri
18
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,450 ✓ Higher
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.
Hartford, CT
Pros
56% less violent crime than Springfield
Cons
Violent crime (515.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2845.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (10.6% vs 4.8%)
Cost of living runs 7% higher than Springfield
Springfield, MO
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 5.8 pts lower (4.8%)
Homes cost $53k less ($146,400 vs $198,900)
Rent averages $276/mo less ($878 vs $1,154)
More college-educated — 30.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
Cons
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
Hartford
Violent Crime
56% lower
515.8 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Springfield
Cost of Living
7% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 96.1 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Income
$1,609
$43,450 vs $41,841/yr
Springfield
Median Home Value
$53k less
$146,400 vs $198,900
Springfield
Unemployment
5.8 pp lower
4.8% vs 10.6% unemployment
Springfield
Summer Heat
3.6°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 84.6°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hartford, CT | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 96.1 | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $198,900 | $146,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,154 | $878 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $41,841 | $43,450 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.6%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.1 min | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.3% | 7.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 266⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 310⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 136⚠ High ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (80) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.3:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 17.5% | 30.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 74.7% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hartford School District | SPRINGFIELD R-XII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 36.8°F | 43.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.6°F | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 42.8" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 51.7" | 13.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 121,057 | 168,873 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 33.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 25.6% | 42.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.1% ✓ More | 17.4% |
| Over 65 | 11.3% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hartford's cost of living index is 96.1 vs Springfield's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 7% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 18 of 23 categories. Hartford wins 5 and Springfield wins 18. 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 Hartford to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($198,900 vs $146,400 median home), income ($41,841 vs $43,450), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hartford, CT and Springfield, MO are about 1,141 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.