City Comparison
Florissant vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Florissant scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Florissant
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Florissant is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Springfield.
| Metric | Florissant | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $1,121 | +3% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $115 | $120 | -4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,050 | $2,071 | -1% |
| Cost Index | 88 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Florissant offers 16% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Florissant delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Florissant is estimated at
$52,000 vs $67,000 in Springfield.
| Metric | Florissant | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $67,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,727 idx | 61,111 idx |
| Household Income | $67,500 | $49,311 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Florissant runs warmer on average — a 57.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Florissant comes out ahead with 253 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Florissant sees 20.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Florissant | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.40°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.80°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 41.50 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 253 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to Florissant.
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 | Florissant | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Florissant.
From a growth perspective, Springfield 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 | Florissant | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 52,141 | 170,117 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.16% |
| Median Age | 39.2 | 33.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.60% |
| GDP | — | $29.3B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Florissant
Advantages
Median home prices remain significantly more affordable than the national average, making homeownership accessible.
Historic Old Town Florissant offers unique local dining, community events, and preserved French colonial architecture.
Abundant municipal green spaces, parks, and recreational facilities support an active outdoor lifestyle.
Proximity to major St. Louis employers and healthcare networks provides strong economic opportunity.
A strong sense of community pride and active neighborhood involvement foster a welcoming environment.
Drawbacks
The area is largely car-dependent, with limited pedestrian infrastructure outside of specific residential pockets.
Property taxes in St. Louis County can be a notable recurring expense for homeowners.
Certain commercial corridors experience higher property crime rates, requiring careful neighborhood selection.
Public transportation options are sparse compared to denser urban cores, making a personal vehicle essential.
Summer humidity can be intense, aligning with typical Midwestern climate patterns.
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.
Florissant
#265Missouri, USA
62.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
88
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
253/yr
Avg Temp
57.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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