Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Newark, NJ
VS
Springfield, MA
🏆 Springfield leads 15 of 23 categories
Newark
New Jersey
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$46,460
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
307,355 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Massachusetts
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$47,677 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
235⚠ High
Population
155,305
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Newark, NJ
Pros
35% less violent crime than Springfield
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $312,300
Violent crime (581.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Springfield
Living costs are well above the U.S. average (index 112.5)
Springfield, MA
Pros
Homes cost $114k less ($198,500 vs $312,300)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (8.7%)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Rent averages $226/mo less ($1,047 vs $1,273)
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Newark
More college-educated — 20.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
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
Newark
Violent Crime
35% lower
581.2 vs 891.4 per 100k
Springfield
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 112.5 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Income
$1,217
$47,677 vs $46,460/yr
Springfield
Median Home Value
$114k less
$198,500 vs $312,300
Springfield
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
8.7% vs 10.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Newark, NJ | Springfield, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.5⚠ High | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $312,300⚠ High | $198,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,273 | $1,047 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $46,460 | $47,677 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 10.7%⚠ High | 8.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 33.0 min⚠ High | 21.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 4.6% | 7.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 129⚠ High ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 153⚠ High ✓ Safer | 235⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 93 ✓ Safer | 135⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (85) | B- (96) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.6:1 | 11.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 17.0% | 20.0% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 77.7% | 79.6% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Newark Public School District | Springfield |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 39.4°F ✓ Warmer | 34.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 86.8°F ✓ Warmer | 84.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.4" | 50.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 28.2" ✓ Less | 51.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 307,355 ✓ Larger | 155,305 |
| Median Age | 34.7 ✓ Older | 33.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 23.9% | 47.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.1% | 24.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 10.9% | 13.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Newark's cost of living index is 112.5 vs Springfield's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 15 of 23 categories. Newark 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 Newark to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($312,300 vs $198,500 median home), income ($46,460 vs $47,677), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Newark, NJ and Springfield, MA are about 128 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.