Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Springfield, MA
VS
Tacoma, WA
🏆 Tacoma leads 12 of 23 categories
Springfield
Massachusetts
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$47,677
Violent Crime Index
235⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
155,305
Tacoma
Washington
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$79,085 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
280⚠ High
Population
219,234 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Springfield, MA
Pros
Homes cost $217k less ($198,500 vs $415,300)
Rent averages $442/mo less ($1,047 vs $1,489)
16% less violent crime than Tacoma
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Tacoma
Smaller class sizes — 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Tacoma by $31,408/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 5.4%)
Tacoma, WA
Pros
Households earn $31,408 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.3 pts lower (5.4%)
More college-educated — 32.8% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 35°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 85°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $415,300
Higher rents — median is $1,489/mo
Violent crime (1063.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Springfield
Key Differences at a Glance
Springfield
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Violent Crime
16% lower
891.4 vs 1063.0 per 100k
Springfield
Median Home Value
$217k less
$198,500 vs $415,300
Springfield
Summer Heat
8.1°F warmer
July avg high 84.9°F vs 76.8°F
Tacoma
Median Income
$31,408
$79,085 vs $47,677/yr
Tacoma
Unemployment
3.3 pp lower
5.4% vs 8.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $198,500 ✓ Lower | $415,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,047 ✓ Lower | $1,489⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $47,677 | $79,085 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.7%⚠ High | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.0 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% | 12.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 195⚠ High ✓ Safer | 275⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 235⚠ High ✓ Safer | 280⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer | 267⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.0% | 32.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.6% | 90.9% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Springfield | Tacoma School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.8°F | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.9°F ✓ Warmer | 76.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.3" | 40.8" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 51.7" | 5.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 155,305 | 219,234 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 36.9 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 56.8% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.4% ✓ More | 19.7% |
| Over 65 | 13.0% | 14.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Springfield's cost of living index is 98.4 vs Tacoma's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Tacoma leads 12 of 23 categories. Springfield wins 11 and Tacoma 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 Springfield to Tacoma or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($198,500 vs $415,300 median home), income ($47,677 vs $79,085), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Springfield, MA and Tacoma, WA are about 2,435 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.