Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Springfield, MA
VS
Washington, DC
🏆 Washington leads 13 of 23 categories
Springfield
Massachusetts
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.4 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$47,677
Violent Crime Index
235⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
155,305
Washington
District of Columbia
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
108.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$101,722 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
244⚠ High
Population
670,587 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Springfield, MA
Pros
Homes cost $507k less ($198,500 vs $705,000)
Rent averages $770/mo less ($1,047 vs $1,817)
4% less violent crime than Washington
Commutes run 10 min shorter each way
10% cheaper overall cost of living than Washington
Cons
Median income trails Washington by $54,045/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 7.1%)
Washington, DC
Pros
Households earn $54,045 more per year on average
More college-educated — 62.6% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (7.1%)
Milder winters — January highs near 45°F vs 35°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $705,000
Higher rents — median is $1,817/mo
Violent crime (925.9/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3588.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Springfield
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 98.4 vs 108.6 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Violent Crime
4% lower
891.4 vs 925.9 per 100k
Springfield
Median Home Value
$507k less
$198,500 vs $705,000
Washington
Median Income
$54,045
$101,722 vs $47,677/yr
Washington
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
7.1% vs 8.7% unemployment
Washington
Summer Heat
4.9°F warmer
July avg high 89.8°F vs 84.9°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Washington, DC |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 98.4 ✓ Cheaper | 108.6⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $198,500 ✓ Lower | $705,000⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,047 ✓ Lower | $1,817⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $47,677 | $101,722 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.7%⚠ High | 7.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 21.0 min ✓ Shorter | 30.5 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 7.4% | 25.0% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 195⚠ High ✓ Safer | 215⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 235⚠ High ✓ Safer | 244⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 135⚠ High ✓ Safer | 171⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (96) | A (119) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 11.4:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 20.0% | 62.6% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 79.6% | 92.7% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Springfield | District of Columbia Public Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 34.8°F | 44.7°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 84.9°F | 89.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.3" | 45.6" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 51.7" | 9.7" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 155,305 | 670,587 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 33.4 | 34.8 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% ✓ Higher | 41.4% |
| Under 18 | 24.4% ✓ More | 18.5% |
| Over 65 | 13.0% ✓ More | 12.6% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Springfield's cost of living index is 98.4 vs Washington's 108.6 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Washington leads 13 of 23 categories. Springfield wins 10 and Washington wins 13. 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 Washington or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($198,500 vs $705,000 median home), income ($47,677 vs $101,722), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Springfield, MA and Washington, DC are about 323 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.