City Comparison
Lorain vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Springfield scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Lorain
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Lorain is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
3% lower than in Springfield.
| Metric | Lorain | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $950 | $950 | 0% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $1,840 | $1,900 | -3% |
| Cost Index | 85 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Lorain offers 6% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Lorain delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Lorain is estimated at
$45,000 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Lorain | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $52,000 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $45,000 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,176 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $48,500 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Lorain runs warmer on average — a 51.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Lorain comes out ahead with 220 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Lorain sees 39.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Lorain | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 78.50°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 22.20°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 43.70 in | in |
| Snowfall | 39.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 220 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Lorain.
Lorain scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Lorain leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Lorain | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 6.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Lorain.
From a growth perspective, Lorain 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 | Lorain | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 35,886 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.20% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Lorain
Advantages
Median home prices in Lorain are significantly lower than the national average per Zillow 2024 data.
Proximity to Lake Erie offers abundant recreational boating, fishing, and waterfront park access.
Rich cultural diversity highlighted by community festivals, authentic local eateries, and historic neighborhoods.
Convenient commuting distance to the broader Cleveland metropolitan job and entertainment market.
Lower overall cost of living index allows residents to stretch household budgets further.
Drawbacks
Overall crime rates in certain urban neighborhoods exceed the national median per FBI crime statistics.
Northeast Ohio winters bring heavy snowfall and cold temperatures that require winter preparedness.
Property tax rates in the region can be relatively high compared to the low initial home purchase price.
Job growth within city limits has historically lagged behind high-growth tech hubs.
Public transit options are limited compared to major metropolitan transit systems, increasing car dependency.
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.
Lorain
#480Ohio, USA
53.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$52,000
Cost Index
85
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
51.80°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
5.20%
Livability
66
Business
60
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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