Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Springfield, MO
VS
Warren, MI
🏆 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
Warren
Michigan
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
98.0
Median Household Income
$61,633 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
143⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
138,588
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Springfield, MO
Pros
Rent averages $261/mo less ($878 vs $1,139)
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.6 pts lower (4.8%)
Commutes run 8 min shorter each way
Homes cost $23k less ($146,400 vs $169,300)
More college-educated — 30.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Warren
Cons
Median income trails Warren by $18,183/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
Warren, MI
Pros
54% less violent crime than Springfield
Households earn $18,183 more per year on average
Cons
Violent crime (541.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Higher unemployment (7.4% 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
$23k less
$146,400 vs $169,300
Springfield
Unemployment
2.6 pp lower
4.8% vs 7.4% unemployment
Springfield
Summer Heat
4.7°F warmer
July avg high 88.2°F vs 83.5°F
Warren
Median Income
$18,183
$61,633 vs $43,450/yr
Warren
Violent Crime
54% lower
541.8 vs 1178.1 per 100k
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Warren, MI |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 89.3 ✓ Cheaper | 98.0 |
| Median Home Value | $146,400 ✓ Lower | $169,300 |
| Median Monthly Rent | $878 ✓ Lower | $1,139 |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $43,450 | $61,633 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 7.4%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.1 min ✓ Shorter | 25.9 min |
| Work From Home % | 7.5% | 8.4% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 266⚠ High | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 310⚠ High | 143⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 199⚠ High | 74 ✓ Safer |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (105) ✓ Better | C+ (89) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.9:1 ✓ Smaller | 16.7:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 30.0% ✓ Higher | 19.9% |
| High School or Higher | 91.8% ✓ Higher | 86.3% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | SPRINGFIELD R-XII | Warren Consolidated Schools |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 43.4°F ✓ Warmer | 32.4°F |
| Avg High — July | 88.2°F ✓ Warmer | 83.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.5" | 29.9" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 13.7" ✓ Less | 27.9" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 168,873 ✓ Larger | 138,588 |
| Median Age | 33.3 | 38.5 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.3% | 71.1% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 17.4% | 21.1% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 15.9% | 16.2% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Springfield's cost of living index is 89.3 vs Warren's 98.0 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 13 of 23 categories. Springfield wins 13 and Warren 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 Warren or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($146,400 vs $169,300 median home), income ($43,450 vs $61,633), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Springfield, MO and Warren, MI are about 656 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.