Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Kenosha, WI
VS
Springfield, MO
🏆 Springfield leads 15 of 23 categories
Kenosha
Wisconsin
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$64,963 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
75 ✓ Safer
Population
99,493
Springfield
Missouri
15
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.
Kenosha, WI
Pros
76% less violent crime than Springfield
Households earn $21,513 more per year on average
Cons
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Springfield
Springfield, MO
Pros
Homes cost $48k less ($146,400 vs $194,400)
Rent averages $201/mo less ($878 vs $1,079)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Kenosha
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.6 pts lower (4.8%)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Milder winters — January highs near 43°F vs 31°F
Cons
Median income trails Kenosha by $21,513/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
Kenosha
Median Income
$21,513
$64,963 vs $43,450/yr
Kenosha
Violent Crime
76% lower
285.7 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Springfield
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$48k less
$146,400 vs $194,400
Springfield
Unemployment
0.6 pp lower
4.8% vs 5.4% unemployment
Springfield
Summer Heat
4.4°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 83.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Kenosha, WI | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $194,400 | $146,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,079 | $878 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,963 ✓ Higher | $43,450 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.4%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.1 min | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.4% | 7.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 62 ✓ Safer | 266⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 75 ✓ Safer | 310⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 41 ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (99) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.7:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.5% | 30.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Kenosha School District | SPRINGFIELD R-XII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.3°F | 43.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 83.8°F | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 36.2" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 36.2" | 13.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 99,493 | 168,873 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 36.3 ✓ Older | 33.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.7% ✓ Higher | 42.3% |
| Under 18 | 23.7% ✓ More | 17.4% |
| Over 65 | 13.5% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Kenosha's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Springfield's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 15 of 23 categories. Kenosha wins 8 and Springfield wins 15. 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 Kenosha to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($194,400 vs $146,400 median home), income ($64,963 vs $43,450), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Kenosha, WI and Springfield, MO are about 470 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.