Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Norwalk, CT
VS
Springfield, MA
🏆 Norwalk leads 14 of 23 categories
Norwalk
Connecticut
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,879 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
22 ✓ Safer
Population
91,050
Springfield
Massachusetts
9
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.
Norwalk, CT
Pros
Households earn $50,202 more per year on average
90% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.8 pts lower (5.9%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (85.0 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 42.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $491,800
Higher rents — median is $1,861/mo
Cost of living runs 8% higher than Springfield
Springfield, MA
Pros
Homes cost $293k less ($198,500 vs $491,800)
Rent averages $814/mo less ($1,047 vs $1,861)
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Norwalk
Cons
Median income trails Norwalk by $50,202/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
Higher unemployment (8.7% vs 5.9%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Norwalk
Median Income
$50,202
$97,879 vs $47,677/yr
Norwalk
Violent Crime
90% lower
85.0 vs 891.4 per 100k
Norwalk
Unemployment
2.8 pp lower
5.9% vs 8.7% unemployment
Springfield
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$293k less
$198,500 vs $491,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Norwalk, CT | Springfield, MA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 106.5⚠ High | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $491,800⚠ High | $198,500 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,861⚠ High | $1,047 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $97,879 ✓ Higher | $47,677 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.7%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.3 min | 21.0 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.4% ✓ Higher | 7.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 42 ✓ Safer | 195⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 22 ✓ Safer | 235⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 135⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (113) ✓ Better | B- (96) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.5:1 | 11.4:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.6% ✓ Higher | 20.0% |
| High School or Higher | 88.6% ✓ Higher | 79.6% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Norwalk School District | Springfield |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.0°F ✓ Warmer | 34.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.8°F | 84.9°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.4" | 50.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 34.0" ✓ Less | 51.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 91,050 | 155,305 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.0 ✓ Older | 33.4 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% ✓ Higher | 47.8% |
| Under 18 | 19.4% | 24.4% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.8% ✓ More | 13.0% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Norwalk's cost of living index is 106.5 vs Springfield's 98.4 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Norwalk leads 14 of 23 categories. Norwalk wins 14 and Springfield wins 9. 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 Norwalk to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($491,800 vs $198,500 median home), income ($97,879 vs $47,677), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Norwalk, CT and Springfield, MA are about 84 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.