Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Springfield, MO
VS
Syracuse, NY
🏆 Springfield leads 14 of 23 categories
Springfield
Missouri
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,450
Violent Crime Index
310⚠ High
Population
168,873 ✓ Larger
Syracuse
New York
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
95.2
Median Household Income
$43,584 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
201⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
146,134
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Springfield, MO
Pros
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.8 pts lower (4.8%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 89.3)
Milder winters — January highs near 43°F vs 32°F
6% cheaper overall cost of living than Syracuse
Cons
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
Syracuse, NY
Pros
35% less violent crime than Springfield
Homes cost $29k less ($117,900 vs $146,400)
Cooler summers — July highs near 82°F vs 88°F
Smaller class sizes — 10.9:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Violent crime (765.3/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4234.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 4.8%)
Snowy winters — about 128" of snow per year
Key Differences at a Glance
Springfield
Cost of Living
6% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 95.2 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Unemployment
3.8 pp lower
4.8% vs 8.6% unemployment
Springfield
Summer Heat
6.5°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 81.7°F
Syracuse
Violent Crime
35% lower
765.3 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Syracuse
Median Home Value
$29k less
$117,900 vs $146,400
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Syracuse, NY |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper | 95.2 |
| Median Home Value | $146,400 | $117,900 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $878 ✓ Lower | $932 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,450 | $43,584 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 8.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.1 min | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 7.5% | 9.3% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 266⚠ High | 201⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 310⚠ High | 201⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 199⚠ High ✓ Safer | 202⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | B (98) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 | 10.9:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% ✓ Higher | 29.7% |
| High School or Higher | 91.8% ✓ Higher | 84.5% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SPRINGFIELD R-XII | SYRACUSE CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 43.4°F ✓ Warmer | 31.7°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer | 81.7°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.5" | 43.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.7" ✓ Less | 127.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 168,873 ✓ Larger | 146,134 |
| Median Age | 33.3 ✓ Older | 31.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% ✓ Higher | 40.8% |
| Under 18 | 17.4% | 21.0% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.9% ✓ More | 13.3% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Springfield's cost of living index is 89.3 vs Syracuse's 95.2 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 6% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 14 of 23 categories. Springfield wins 14 and Syracuse wins 9. 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 Syracuse or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($146,400 vs $117,900 median home), income ($43,450 vs $43,584), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Springfield, MO and Syracuse, NY are about 990 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.