Performance
Score Breakdown
Kunming
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Kunming is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
65% lower compared to Springfield.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kunming's average rent is
75% lower than Springfield's.
| Metric | Kunming | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $234 | $950 | -75% |
| Groceries | $187 | $400 | -53% |
| Utilities | $53 | $180 | -71% |
| Transport | $37 | $120 | -69% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $661 | $1,900 | -65% |
| Cost Index | 31 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springfield offers 61% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kunming delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kunming is estimated at
$10,368 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Kunming | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $19,261 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $10,368 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 62,132 idx | 57,972 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Kunming | 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
9,500 minutes (158 hours) per year compared to Kunming.
Springfield scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Springfield leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kunming | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 40 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 40.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Kunming is the larger city
— approximately 104.2x the population of Springfield.
From a growth perspective, Kunming 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 | Kunming | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 6,061,121 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.21% | % |
| Median Age | 37.9 | |
| Unemployment | 4.62% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $128.1B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kunming
Advantages
Kunming boasts a mild, spring-like climate year-round, earning it the nickname "City of Eternal Spring."
The cost of living in Kunming is relatively affordable compared to other major Chinese cities, with average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom in the city center at $234 as of August 2026.
The city has a high safety index of 85 as of 2026, indicating a very secure living environment.
Kunming is a significant economic and transportation hub, serving as a gateway to Southeast and South Asia.
The city is a major center for scientific research and education, listed among the top 100 cities globally for scientific research output in 2024.
Drawbacks
Specific, up-to-date data for certain metrics like median household income, unemployment rate, and median age for Kunming are not readily available from reliable sources.
While public transport is available, detailed transit and walkability scores are not widely published.
The average individual salary in Kunming, while covering living expenses, is lower than in some first-tier Chinese cities.
Summer months experience frequent and heavy rainfall, which can impact outdoor activities.
Despite its mild climate, winter nights can experience freezing temperatures, and occasional freak snowfalls can occur.
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.
Kunming
#2Yunnan, China
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$234
Avg Salary
$19,261
Cost Index
31
Commute
40 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.21%
Unemployment
4.62%
Livability
74
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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