Performance
Score Breakdown
Anchorage
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
67% higher compared to Anchorage.
Housing costs are a major driver: Anchorage's average rent is
67% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Anchorage | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,583 | $950 | +67% |
| Groceries | $623 | $400 | +56% |
| Utilities | $409 | $180 | +127% |
| Transport | $350 | $120 | +192% |
| Healthcare | $200 | $250 | -20% |
| Monthly Total | $3,165 | $1,900 | +67% |
| Cost Index | 125 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Anchorage offers 25% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Springfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Anchorage is estimated at
$125,309 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Anchorage | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,814 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $125,309 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 49,451 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $103,284 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Anchorage | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Anchorage has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Springfield.
Anchorage scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Anchorage leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Anchorage | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 52.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 31.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 31.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Anchorage is the larger city
— approximately 4.9x the population of Springfield.
From a growth perspective, Anchorage is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Springfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Anchorage | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 286,278 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Anchorage
Advantages
No state income tax allows residents to keep a larger portion of their earnings.
Exceptional access to stunning natural beauty and outdoor recreational activities.
Strong job market in key sectors like healthcare, oil & gas, and transportation.
Friendly community and welcoming atmosphere with a small-town feel.
Shorter average commute time compared to the national average.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average.
Higher property crime rate compared to the national average.
Limited public transportation options lead to high car dependency.
Challenging winter weather conditions with short daylight hours.
Elevated healthcare costs compared to the national average.
Springfield
Advantages
Cost of living is approximately 15% below the national average, with housing costs running about 46% below the national norm. [25]
Median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is approximately $920 per month, significantly lower than the national average of $1,430. [25]
The median home value in Springfield is $102,100, which is 64% below the national average. [41]
Springfield has a lower rent-to-income ratio compared to other small metros in Ohio, indicating better rental affordability. [14]
The city is actively working on downtown revitalization, with new residential housing and entertainment venues. [30]
Drawbacks
Springfield has a high crime rate, significantly above both state and national averages, with a concerning trend in violent and property crimes. [9, 26]
The violent crime rate in Springfield is 1371.1 per 100,000 residents, which is substantially higher than the national average. [9]
Springfield has one of the highest crime rates in America, with a chance of becoming a victim of crime being one in 17. [26]
The city's walkability score is very low, indicating a high dependency on cars for transportation. [22, 38]
The median household income of $47,143 is below the national average, and the poverty rate is 23.1%, higher than the national average. [3, 39]
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Anchorage
#66Alaska, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,583
Avg Salary
$61,814
Cost Index
125
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
52.0/10
Walkability
31.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
72
Business
68
Springfield
#111Ohio, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$49,276
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
13.0/10
Walkability
6.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
70
Business
60
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