Performance
Score Breakdown
Jacksonville
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
18% higher compared to Jacksonville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Jacksonville's average rent is
32% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Jacksonville | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $950 | +32% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,250 | $1,900 | +18% |
| Cost Index | 80 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springfield offers 37% lower 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 Jacksonville is estimated at
$42,000 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Jacksonville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $30,946 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $42,000 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 38,683 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $49,666 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Jacksonville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Jacksonville scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Jacksonville leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Jacksonville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 20.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 22.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of Jacksonville.
From a growth perspective, Jacksonville 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 | Jacksonville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,400 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 32.4 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.40% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Jacksonville
Advantages
The median home value in Jacksonville is significantly lower than the national average, making housing highly affordable.
Jacksonville offers a strong sense of community and a family-friendly atmosphere.
The average commute time for residents is relatively short at 20.3 minutes.
The city is undergoing various infrastructure and development projects, indicating investment and potential future improvements.
Jacksonville has numerous parks and hosts community events like FestiVille, providing recreational opportunities.
Drawbacks
Jacksonville's violent crime rate is higher than the national average.
As of April 2026, the city lacks an acute care hospital with an emergency department, impacting general healthcare access.
The city has minimal public transportation and low walkability, making it highly car-dependent.
The city experienced a slight decline in employment from 2023 to 2024.
The population is projected to have a slight annual decline in 2026.
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.
Jacksonville
#128Arkansas, USA
60.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$30,946
Cost Index
80
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
20.0/10
Walkability
22.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.40%
Livability
65
Business
60
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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