City Comparison
Kettering vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Kettering scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Kettering
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
7% lower than in Kettering.
Housing costs are a major driver: Kettering's average rent is
21% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Kettering | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,150 | $950 | +21% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,045 | $1,900 | +8% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Kettering offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Kettering delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Kettering is estimated at
$48,000 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Kettering | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,736 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $68,500 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Kettering runs warmer on average — a 53.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Kettering comes out ahead with 237 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Kettering sees 18.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Kettering | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 53.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 82.60°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 21.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.00 in | in |
| Snowfall | 18.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 237 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 1 minutes of each other.
Kettering scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Kettering leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Kettering | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 22 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Walkability | 45.0/100 | 6.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Kettering is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Kettering has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Kettering | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,862 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 42.5 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.80% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Kettering
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain comfortably below the national average per Zillow and DataUSA data.
Exceptional local parks and recreation facilities, including the renowned Kettering Recreation Complex.
Strong public safety profile with violent and property crime rates well below national medians.
Proximity to major regional employment drivers including Kettering Health and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.
Well-rated local public school district offering robust academic and extracurricular programs.
Drawbacks
Aging housing stock in many neighborhoods may require ongoing maintenance and energy-efficiency updates.
Public transit options are limited, resulting in high reliance on personal automobiles for daily errands.
Modest job growth rate compared to booming southern or western metropolitan hubs.
Winters can be cold and grey, requiring regular snow removal and property maintenance.
Limited nightlife and entertainment options within city limits, often requiring travel into downtown Dayton.
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.
Kettering
#132Ohio, USA
65.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,150
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
22 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
237/yr
Avg Temp
53.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
3.80%
Livability
79
Business
68
Springfield
#472Ohio, USA
54.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$49,276
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
13.0/100
Walkability
6.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
70
Business
60
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