Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Richardson, TX
VS
Springfield, MO
🏆 Richardson leads 15 of 22 categories
Richardson
Texas
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$94,362 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
39 ✓ Safer
Population
118,063
Springfield
Missouri
7
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.
Richardson, TX
Pros
Households earn $50,912 more per year on average
88% less violent crime than Springfield
Violent crime is well below the national average (146.7 vs 380/100k)
More college-educated — 55.5% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 43°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $379,800
Higher rents — median is $1,725/mo
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Springfield
Springfield, MO
Pros
Homes cost $233k less ($146,400 vs $379,800)
Rent averages $847/mo less ($878 vs $1,725)
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Richardson
Commutes run 6 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
Cooler summers — July highs near 88°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails Richardson by $50,912/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
Richardson
Median Income
$50,912
$94,362 vs $43,450/yr
Richardson
Violent Crime
88% lower
146.7 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Richardson
Summer Heat
6.1°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 88.2°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$233k less
$146,400 vs $379,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Richardson, TX | Springfield, MO |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $379,800⚠ High | $146,400 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,725⚠ High | $878 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $94,362 ✓ Higher | $43,450 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 23.7 min | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 19.7% ✓ Higher | 7.5% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 58 ✓ Safer | 266⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 39 ✓ Safer | 310⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 87 ✓ Safer | 199⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A+ (133) ✓ Better | B+ (105) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 | 13.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 55.5% ✓ Higher | 30.0% |
| High School or Higher | 92.5% ✓ Higher | 91.8% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | RICHARDSON ISD | SPRINGFIELD R-XII |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 43.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 88.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.1" ✓ Drier | 46.5" |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.7" ✓ Less | 13.7" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 118,063 | 168,873 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.5 ✓ Older | 33.3 |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.6% ✓ Higher | 42.3% |
| Under 18 | 21.0% ✓ More | 17.4% |
| Over 65 | 12.6% | 15.9% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Richardson's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Springfield's 89.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 22 decided categories above, Richardson leads 15 of 22 categories. Richardson wins 15 and Springfield wins 7. 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 Richardson to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($379,800 vs $146,400 median home), income ($94,362 vs $43,450), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Richardson, TX and Springfield, MO are about 350 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.