City Comparison
Chesterfield vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Chesterfield scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chesterfield
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
21% lower than in Chesterfield.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chesterfield's average rent is
47% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Chesterfield | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,121 | +47% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $120 | +8% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $250 | -4% |
| Monthly Total | $2,615 | $2,071 | +26% |
| Cost Index | 115 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Chesterfield offers 55% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Chesterfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Chesterfield is estimated at
$65,000 vs $67,000 in Springfield.
| Metric | Chesterfield | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $85,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $65,000 | $67,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 73,913 idx | 61,111 idx |
| Household Income | $115,000 | $49,311 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Chesterfield runs warmer on average — a 57.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Chesterfield comes out ahead with 257 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Chesterfield sees 20 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chesterfield | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.10°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.40°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.00 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Chesterfield.
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 | Chesterfield | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Chesterfield.
From a growth perspective, Chesterfield is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Chesterfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Chesterfield | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 49,995 | 170,117 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | 0.16% |
| Median Age | 44.0 | 33.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.20% | 3.60% |
| GDP | — | $29.3B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chesterfield
Advantages
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Missouri with crime rates well below the national average
Home to top-performing Parkway and Rockwood school districts serving local families
Thriving local economy with major employers in healthcare, biotechnology, and corporate services
Abundant green spaces, including over 20 city parks and extensive multi-use trail systems
Strategic location along Interstate 64 providing easy access to downtown St. Louis and Lambert International Airport
Drawbacks
Overall cost of living and housing prices are significantly higher than the Missouri state average
High level of car dependency with limited public mass transit options within the city
Increasing traffic congestion along major commercial corridors and highway interchanges during peak hours
Limited inventory of affordable entry-level housing options for first-time buyers
Property tax rates can be relatively high compared to surrounding unincorporated areas
Springfield
Advantages
The cost of living in Springfield is 8-12% below the national average, with significant savings in housing, utilities, and groceries.
Housing is highly affordable, with a median home value of $208,223 in 2026, making homeownership more accessible.
The average commute time is short, at just 16 minutes, enhancing daily convenience for residents.
Springfield has a diversified and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare and manufacturing.
The city is a regional healthcare hub with highly-rated hospitals like Mercy Hospital Springfield, which received a Leapfrog A rating in 2024 and 2025.
Drawbacks
Healthcare costs in Springfield are reported to be 6-11.5% above the national average.
The median household income of $49,311 (2024) is lower than the national median.
Springfield received a low safety score of 26 out of 100 in Livability's 2026 ranking.
The city experiences varied and sometimes extreme weather, including muggy summers and cold, snowy winters.
While a regional hub, the city's population diversity is lower compared to many other U.S. cities.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Chesterfield
#125Missouri, USA
66.2 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$85,000
Cost Index
115
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
57.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
3.20%
Livability
86
Business
80
Springfield
#591Missouri, USA
43.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,121
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.16%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
78
Business
68
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