Performance
Score Breakdown
Biddeford
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
115% higher compared to Biddeford.
Housing costs are a major driver: Biddeford's average rent is
131% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Biddeford | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,199 | $950 | +131% |
| Groceries | $426 | $400 | +7% |
| Utilities | $428 | $180 | +138% |
| Transport | $789 | $120 | +558% |
| Healthcare | $252 | $250 | +1% |
| Monthly Total | $4,094 | $1,900 | +115% |
| Cost Index | 122 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Biddeford offers 37% 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 Biddeford is estimated at
$87,960 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Biddeford | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $67,565 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $87,960 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 55,381 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $72,333 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Biddeford | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 71.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Biddeford.
Biddeford scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Biddeford leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Biddeford | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 45.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of Biddeford.
From a growth perspective, Biddeford is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Biddeford has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Biddeford | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 22,932 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 35.0 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.00% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Biddeford
Advantages
Vibrant downtown with revitalized historic mill buildings and cultural attractions.
Lower unemployment rate (3% in May 2026) compared to the national average.
Strong presence of top industries like Education and Health Care and Social Services providing job opportunities.
Relatively young median age (35.0 years) contributing to a dynamic community.
Access to a full-service hospital, MaineHealth Maine Medical Center Biddeford, within the city.
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living is significantly higher than the national average (22% higher in 2026).
Highest violent crime rate in Maine (313.8 per 100K in 2024) and overall crime rate 26% higher than national average.
Housing costs are notably high, with average apartment rent at $2,199/month in July 2026.
High car dependency due to limited public transportation options.
Long-term care costs, such as assisted living and nursing homes, are considerably higher than national averages.
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.
Biddeford
#117Maine, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,199
Avg Salary
$67,565
Cost Index
122
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
45.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.00%
Livability
67
Business
68
Springfield
#117Ohio, 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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