Performance
Score Breakdown
Natchitoches
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Natchitoches is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
65% lower compared to Springfield.
Housing costs are a major driver: Natchitoches's average rent is
30% lower than Springfield's.
| Metric | Natchitoches | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $664 | $950 | -30% |
| Groceries | $0 | $400 | -100% |
| Utilities | $0 | $180 | -100% |
| Transport | $0 | $120 | -100% |
| Healthcare | $0 | $250 | -100% |
| Monthly Total | $664 | $1,900 | -65% |
| Cost Index | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springfield offers 55% lower average salaries.
| Metric | Natchitoches | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $22,157 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $0 | $33,240 |
| Household Income | $37,133 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Natchitoches | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 80.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Natchitoches has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,500 minutes (42 hours) per year compared to Springfield.
Natchitoches scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Natchitoches leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Natchitoches | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 40.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Natchitoches.
From a growth perspective, Natchitoches 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 | Natchitoches | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,577 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.60% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Natchitoches
Advantages
Natchitoches boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage, being the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase.
The average commute time of 16.2 minutes is significantly shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience.
The cost of living, particularly median rent at $664 per month, is relatively low, enhancing affordability.
The city is home to Northwestern State University, contributing to a vibrant, youthful demographic and educational opportunities.
Natchitoches Regional Medical Center offers comprehensive healthcare services and is actively working to improve patient satisfaction and quality of care.
Drawbacks
Natchitoches has a high crime rate, with total crime being 149% higher than the national average and a violent crime rate of 891.1 per 100,000 residents.
The city's livability score is 56/100, ranking it low compared to other U.S. cities.
Public transportation is limited, leading to high car dependency for residents.
The median household income of $37,133 in 2024 is considerably lower than the national average.
Summers are characterized by oppressive heat and high humidity, which can be uncomfortable for some residents.
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.
Natchitoches
#133Louisiana, USA
55.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$664
Avg Salary
$22,157
Cost Index
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
40.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.60%
Livability
56
Business
60
Springfield
#116Ohio, 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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