Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Springfield, MO
VS
Visalia, CA
🏆 Springfield leads 13 of 23 categories
Springfield
Missouri
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
89.3 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$43,450
Violent Crime Index
310⚠ High
Population
168,873 ✓ Larger
Visalia
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
101.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$75,658 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
115⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
141,466
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Springfield, MO
Pros
Homes cost $170k less ($146,400 vs $316,600)
Rent averages $411/mo less ($878 vs $1,289)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.8 pts lower (4.8%)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Visalia
Commutes run 4 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 30.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Median income trails Visalia by $32,208/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
Visalia, CA
Pros
Households earn $32,208 more per year on average
63% less violent crime than Springfield
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 43°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $316,600
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Springfield
Higher unemployment (5.6% vs 4.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Springfield
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 89.3 vs 101.3 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$170k less
$146,400 vs $316,600
Springfield
Unemployment
0.8 pp lower
4.8% vs 5.6% unemployment
Visalia
Median Income
$32,208
$75,658 vs $43,450/yr
Visalia
Violent Crime
63% lower
435.3 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Visalia
Summer Heat
5.6°F warmer
July avg high 93.8°F vs 88.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Visalia, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper | 101.3⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $146,400 ✓ Lower | $316,600⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $878 ✓ Lower | $1,289 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,450 | $75,658 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 5.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter | 21.8 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.5% ✓ Higher | 6.4% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 266⚠ High | 109⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 310⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 199⚠ High | 101⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | C+ (88) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 21.5:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% ✓ Higher | 23.3% |
| High School or Higher | 91.8% ✓ Higher | 86.2% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SPRINGFIELD R-XII | Visalia Unified |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 43.4°F | 55.3°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F | 93.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.5" | 10.3" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.7" | 0.1" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 168,873 ✓ Larger | 141,466 |
| Median Age | 33.3 ✓ Older | 33.0 |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 60.0% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.4% | 28.2% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.9% ✓ More | 13.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Springfield's cost of living index is 89.3 vs Visalia's 101.3 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 13 of 23 categories. Springfield wins 13 and Visalia wins 10. 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 Visalia or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($146,400 vs $316,600 median home), income ($43,450 vs $75,658), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Springfield, MO and Visalia, CA are about 1,438 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.