Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Springfield, MO
VS
Sterling Heights, MI
🏆 Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories
Springfield
Missouri
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,450
Violent Crime Index
310⚠ High
Population
168,873 ✓ Larger
Sterling Heights
Michigan
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$75,381 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
60 ✓ Safer
Population
133,744
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Springfield, MO
Pros
Homes cost $97k less ($146,400 vs $243,400)
Rent averages $337/mo less ($878 vs $1,215)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (4.8%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Sterling Heights
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
Cons
Median income trails Sterling Heights by $31,931/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
Sterling Heights, MI
Pros
Households earn $31,931 more per year on average
81% less violent crime than Springfield
Violent crime is well below the national average (229.2 vs 380/100k)
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 88°F
Cons
Higher unemployment (5.9% vs 4.8%)
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Springfield
Key Differences at a Glance
Springfield
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 98.0 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$97k less
$146,400 vs $243,400
Springfield
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
4.8% vs 5.9% unemployment
Springfield
Summer Heat
6.0°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 82.2°F
Sterling Heights
Median Income
$31,931
$75,381 vs $43,450/yr
Sterling Heights
Violent Crime
81% lower
229.2 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Sterling Heights, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $146,400 ✓ Lower | $243,400 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $878 ✓ Lower | $1,215 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,450 | $75,381 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.9%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter | 26.0 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.5% | 11.5% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 266⚠ High | 56 ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 310⚠ High | 60 ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 199⚠ High | 50 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | B (99) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 17.9:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% | 30.8% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 91.8% ✓ Higher | 87.7% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SPRINGFIELD R-XII | Utica Community Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 43.4°F ✓ Warmer | 31.6°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer | 82.2°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.5" | 34.5" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.7" ✓ Less | 32.2" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 168,873 ✓ Larger | 133,744 |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 41.2 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 76.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.4% | 20.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.9% | 18.0% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Springfield's cost of living index is 89.3 vs Sterling Heights's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories. Springfield wins 12 and Sterling Heights 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 Springfield to Sterling Heights or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($146,400 vs $243,400 median home), income ($43,450 vs $75,381), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Springfield, MO and Sterling Heights, MI are about 658 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.