Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Memphis, TN
VS
Springfield, MO
🏆 Springfield leads 13 of 22 categories
Memphis
Tennessee
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
92.4
Median Household Income
$48,090 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
658⚠ High
Population
630,027 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Missouri
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,450
Violent Crime Index
310⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
168,873
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Memphis, TN
Pros
Households earn $4,640 more per year on average
Living costs sit below the national average (index 92.4)
Milder winters — January highs near 51°F vs 43°F
Cons
Violent crime (2501.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (6899.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 4.8%)
Cost of living runs 3% higher than Springfield
Springfield, MO
Pros
53% less violent crime than Memphis
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.8 pts lower (4.8%)
Rent averages $172/mo less ($878 vs $1,050)
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
3% cheaper overall cost of living than Memphis
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
Median income trails Memphis by $4,640/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Memphis
Median Income
$4,640
$48,090 vs $43,450/yr
Memphis
Summer Heat
3.7°F warmer
July avg high 91.9°F vs 88.2°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
3% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 92.4 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Violent Crime
53% lower
1178.1 vs 2501.3 per 100k
Springfield
Unemployment
3.8 pp lower
4.8% vs 8.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 92.4 | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $139,600 ✓ Lower | $146,400 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,050 | $878 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $48,090 ✓ Higher | $43,450 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.6 min | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.5% | 7.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 400⚠ High | 266⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 658⚠ High | 310⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 329⚠ High | 199⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (88) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | — | 13.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 27.9% | 30.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 87.2% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Memphis-Shelby County Schools | SPRINGFIELD R-XII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 50.9°F ✓ Warmer | 43.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.9°F ✓ Warmer | 88.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 54.9" | 46.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" ✓ Less | 13.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 630,027 ✓ Larger | 168,873 |
| Median Age | 34.5 ✓ Older | 33.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.6% ✓ Higher | 42.3% |
| Under 18 | 24.6% ✓ More | 17.4% |
| Over 65 | 14.0% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Memphis's cost of living index is 92.4 vs Springfield's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 3% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Springfield leads 13 of 22 categories. Memphis wins 9 and Springfield wins 13. 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 Memphis to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($139,600 vs $146,400 median home), income ($48,090 vs $43,450), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Memphis, TN and Springfield, MO are about 235 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.