Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Springfield, MA
VS
Vancouver, WA
🏆 Vancouver leads 15 of 23 categories
Springfield
Massachusetts
8
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$47,677
Violent Crime Index
235⚠ High
Population
155,305
Vancouver
Washington
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
106.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,626 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
153⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
190,700 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Springfield, MA
Pros
Homes cost $205k less ($198,500 vs $403,400)
Rent averages $478/mo less ($1,047 vs $1,525)
8% cheaper overall cost of living than Vancouver
Smaller class sizes — 11.4:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails Vancouver by $25,949/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 5.6%)
Vancouver, WA
Pros
Households earn $25,949 more per year on average
35% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (5.6%)
More college-educated — 31.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 35°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $403,400
Higher rents — median is $1,525/mo
Violent crime (582.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3407.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Springfield
Cost of Living
8% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 106.6 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$205k less
$198,500 vs $403,400
Springfield
Summer Heat
4.0°F warmer
July avg high 84.9°F vs 80.9°F
Vancouver
Median Income
$25,949
$73,626 vs $47,677/yr
Vancouver
Violent Crime
35% lower
582.3 vs 891.4 per 100k
Vancouver
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
5.6% vs 8.7% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Vancouver, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper | 106.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $198,500 ✓ Lower | $403,400⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,047 ✓ Lower | $1,525⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $47,677 | $73,626 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.7%⚠ High | 5.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.0 min ✓ Shorter | 23.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% | 13.8% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 195⚠ High | 157⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 235⚠ High | 153⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer | 162⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | B (97) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.4:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.0:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.0% | 31.2% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.6% | 91.3% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Springfield | Evergreen School District (Clark) |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.8°F | 47.0°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.9°F ✓ Warmer | 80.9°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.3" | 44.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 51.7" | 4.2" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 155,305 | 190,700 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 37.4 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 50.9% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.4% ✓ More | 21.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.0% | 16.1% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Springfield's cost of living index is 98.4 vs Vancouver's 106.6 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 8% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Vancouver leads 15 of 23 categories. Springfield wins 8 and Vancouver wins 15. 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 Vancouver or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($198,500 vs $403,400 median home), income ($47,677 vs $73,626), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Springfield, MA and Vancouver, WA are about 2,464 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.