Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Orlando, FL
VS
Springfield, MO
🏆 Orlando leads 12 of 23 categories
Orlando
Florida
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.1⚠ High
Median Household Income
$66,292 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
220⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
307,738 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Missouri
11
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.
Orlando, FL
Pros
Households earn $22,842 more per year on average
29% less violent crime than Springfield
Milder winters — January highs near 72°F vs 43°F
More college-educated — 41.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $332,700
Higher rents — median is $1,509/mo
Violent crime (835.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4028.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Springfield, MO
Pros
Homes cost $186k less ($146,400 vs $332,700)
Rent averages $631/mo less ($878 vs $1,509)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Orlando
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
Smaller class sizes — 13.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Orlando by $22,842/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
Orlando
Median Income
$22,842
$66,292 vs $43,450/yr
Orlando
Violent Crime
29% lower
835.8 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Orlando
Summer Heat
3.8°F warmer
July avg high 92.0°F vs 88.2°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 101.1 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$186k less
$146,400 vs $332,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Orlando, FL | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 101.1⚠ High | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $332,700⚠ High | $146,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,509⚠ High | $878 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $66,292 ✓ Higher | $43,450 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.9 min | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 12.1% ✓ Higher | 7.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 209⚠ High ✓ Safer | 266⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 220⚠ High ✓ Safer | 310⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 192⚠ High ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) | B+ (105) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 18.0:1 | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 41.7% ✓ Higher | 30.0% |
| High School or Higher | 91.4% | 91.8% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | ORANGE | SPRINGFIELD R-XII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 71.8°F ✓ Warmer | 43.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.0°F ✓ Warmer | 88.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 51.4" | 46.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 13.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 307,738 ✓ Larger | 168,873 |
| Median Age | 34.7 ✓ Older | 33.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 39.2% | 42.3% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.8% ✓ More | 17.4% |
| Over 65 | 10.8% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Orlando's cost of living index is 101.1 vs Springfield's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Orlando leads 12 of 23 categories. Orlando wins 12 and Springfield wins 11. 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 Orlando to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($332,700 vs $146,400 median home), income ($66,292 vs $43,450), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Orlando, FL and Springfield, MO are about 924 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.