Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Norwalk, CT
VS
Springfield, MO
🏆 Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories
Norwalk
Connecticut
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$97,879 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
22 ✓ Safer
Population
91,050
Springfield
Missouri
12
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.
Norwalk, CT
Pros
Households earn $54,429 more per year on average
93% less violent crime than Springfield
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 17% higher than Springfield
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.8%)
Springfield, MO
Pros
Homes cost $345k less ($146,400 vs $491,800)
Rent averages $983/mo less ($878 vs $1,861)
17% cheaper overall cost of living than Norwalk
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (4.8%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
Cons
Median income trails Norwalk by $54,429/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
Norwalk
Median Income
$54,429
$97,879 vs $43,450/yr
Norwalk
Violent Crime
93% lower
85.0 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Springfield
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 106.5 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$345k less
$146,400 vs $491,800
Springfield
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
4.8% vs 5.9% unemployment
Springfield
Summer Heat
3.4°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 84.8°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Norwalk, CT | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 106.5⚠ High | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $491,800⚠ High | $146,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,861⚠ High | $878 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $97,879 ✓ Higher | $43,450 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 27.3 min | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.4% ✓ Higher | 7.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 42 ✓ Safer | 266⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 22 ✓ Safer | 310⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 72 ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (113) ✓ Better | B+ (105) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 12.5:1 ✓ Smaller | 13.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.6% ✓ Higher | 30.0% |
| High School or Higher | 88.6% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Norwalk School District | SPRINGFIELD R-XII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 38.0°F | 43.4°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.8°F | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.4" | 46.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 34.0" | 13.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 91,050 | 168,873 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.0 ✓ Older | 33.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.8% ✓ Higher | 42.3% |
| Under 18 | 19.4% ✓ More | 17.4% |
| Over 65 | 15.8% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Norwalk's cost of living index is 106.5 vs Springfield's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories. Norwalk wins 11 and Springfield wins 12. 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 $146,400 median home), income ($97,879 vs $43,450), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Norwalk, CT and Springfield, MO are about 1,096 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.