Performance
Score Breakdown
Danville
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
8% higher compared to Danville.
| Metric | Danville | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,000 | $950 | +5% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $229 | $180 | +27% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,049 | $1,900 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 87 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Danville offers 30% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Danville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Danville is estimated at
$64,000 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Danville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $63,871 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $64,000 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,415 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $44,423 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Danville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Danville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Danville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Danville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 26.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Danville.
From a growth perspective, Danville 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 | Danville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 41,493 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 40.4 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Danville
Advantages
Danville boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
The city is experiencing substantial economic development, including a $1.6 billion investment in a new manufacturing facility creating over 1,800 jobs.
Danville's housing market is highly affordable, with a housing affordability index of 138 in 2024, well above the state average.
The tourism sector in Danville is Virginia's fastest-growing, with visitor spending increasing by 23.5% in 2024.
Sovah Health Danville received an 'A' safety grade in Spring 2024, indicating high-quality care in specific medical procedures and conditions.
Drawbacks
Danville's overall population is projected to decline annually, primarily due to deaths outnumbering births, despite positive in-migration.
The city has a higher total crime index (145 in 2024) compared to the national average (100), indicating a greater prevalence of crime.
Danville is a car-dependent city, with a low Walk Score of 26, meaning most errands require a vehicle.
The median household income in Danville ($44,423 in 2024) is significantly lower than the statewide median income.
Sovah Health Danville has an overall CMS hospital rating of 2 out of 5 stars as of April 2026, suggesting areas for improvement in overall quality despite good safety.
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.
Danville
#72Virginia, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,000
Avg Salary
$63,871
Cost Index
87
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
26.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
70
Business
75
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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