Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Hesperia, CA
VS
Springfield, MA
🏆 Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories
Hesperia
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,698 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
137⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
99,878
Springfield
Massachusetts
12
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.
Hesperia, CA
Pros
42% less violent crime than Springfield
Households earn $20,021 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 60°F vs 35°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $337,600
Higher rents — median is $1,436/mo
Violent crime (519.6/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (9.8% vs 8.7%)
Springfield, MA
Pros
Homes cost $139k less ($198,500 vs $337,600)
Commutes run 21 min shorter each way
Rent averages $389/mo less ($1,047 vs $1,436)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (8.7%)
More college-educated — 20.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Hesperia
Cons
Median income trails Hesperia by $20,021/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
Snowy winters — about 52" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Hesperia
Median Income
$20,021
$67,698 vs $47,677/yr
Hesperia
Violent Crime
42% lower
519.6 vs 891.4 per 100k
Hesperia
Summer Heat
11.9°F warmer
July avg high 96.8°F vs 84.9°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$139k less
$198,500 vs $337,600
Springfield
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
8.7% vs 9.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Hesperia, CA | Springfield, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $337,600⚠ High | $198,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,436⚠ High | $1,047 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,698 ✓ Higher | $47,677 |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.8%⚠ High | 8.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 42.4 min⚠ High | 21.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.3% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 137⚠ High ✓ Safer | 235⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 68 ✓ Safer | 135⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (81) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 23.4:1 | 11.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 10.9% | 20.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 78.0% | 79.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Hesperia Unified | Springfield |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 60.2°F ✓ Warmer | 34.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.8°F ✓ Warmer | 84.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 11.1" ✓ Drier | 50.3" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 51.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,878 | 155,305 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.5% ✓ Higher | 47.8% |
| Under 18 | 29.3% ✓ More | 24.4% |
| Over 65 | 9.9% | 13.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Hesperia's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Springfield's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories. Hesperia 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 Hesperia to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($337,600 vs $198,500 median home), income ($67,698 vs $47,677), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Hesperia, CA and Springfield, MA are about 2,458 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.