Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Norfolk, VA
VS
Springfield, MO
🏆 Norfolk leads 13 of 23 categories
Norfolk
Virginia
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
97.4
Median Household Income
$60,998 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
124⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
236,973 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Missouri
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,450
Violent Crime Index
310⚠ High
Population
168,873
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Norfolk, VA
Pros
60% less violent crime than Springfield
Households earn $17,548 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 50°F vs 43°F
Cons
Violent crime (469.5/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3772.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.7% vs 4.8%)
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Springfield
Springfield, MO
Pros
Homes cost $108k less ($146,400 vs $254,200)
Rent averages $310/mo less ($878 vs $1,188)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (4.8%)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Norfolk
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
Cons
Median income trails Norfolk by $17,548/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
Norfolk
Median Income
$17,548
$60,998 vs $43,450/yr
Norfolk
Violent Crime
60% lower
469.5 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Springfield
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 97.4 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$108k less
$146,400 vs $254,200
Springfield
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
4.8% vs 6.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Norfolk, VA | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 97.4 | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $254,200 | $146,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,188 | $878 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $60,998 ✓ Higher | $43,450 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.7 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 | 146⚠ High ✓ Safer | 266⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 124⚠ High ✓ Safer | 310⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 180⚠ High ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 32.2% ✓ Higher | 30.0% |
| High School or Higher | 89.3% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Norfolk City Public Schools | SPRINGFIELD R-XII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 50.0°F ✓ Warmer | 43.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.7°F ✓ Warmer | 88.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.7" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 3.0" ✓ Less | 13.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 236,973 ✓ Larger | 168,873 |
| Median Age | 32.2 | 33.3 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.8% ✓ Higher | 42.3% |
| Under 18 | 20.3% ✓ More | 17.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Norfolk's cost of living index is 97.4 vs Springfield's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Norfolk leads 13 of 23 categories. Norfolk wins 13 and Springfield wins 10. 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 Norfolk to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($254,200 vs $146,400 median home), income ($60,998 vs $43,450), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Norfolk, VA and Springfield, MO are about 939 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.