City Comparison
Parma vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Parma scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Parma
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
11% lower than in Parma.
Housing costs are a major driver: Parma's average rent is
32% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Parma | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $950 | +32% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,145 | $1,900 | +13% |
| Cost Index | 91 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Parma offers 18% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Parma delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Parma is estimated at
$48,000 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Parma | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $58,000 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $48,000 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 63,736 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $64,500 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Parma runs warmer on average — a 51.2°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Parma comes out ahead with 220 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Parma sees 39.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Parma | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.20°F | °F |
| Summer High | 81.20°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 19.50°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 44.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 39.60 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 220 | |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Parma.
Parma scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Parma leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Parma | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 13.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 6.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Parma is the larger city
— approximately 1.3x the population of Springfield.
From a growth perspective, Parma 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 | Parma | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 77,880 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 42.1 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.20% | 4.00% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Parma
Advantages
Median home prices and overall cost of living remain significantly below the national average per US Census data.
Proximity to downtown Cleveland offers easy access to major employment hubs, cultural institutions, and professional sports.
University Hospitals Parma Medical Center provides top-tier local healthcare and emergency services within city limits.
Extensive municipal park system featuring James Day Park offers robust recreational facilities and community programming.
Crime rates remain well below national averages for cities of comparable size, ensuring a secure suburban environment.
Drawbacks
High property tax rates in Cuyahoga County can offset some of the savings from lower home purchase prices.
Car dependency is high, with limited public transit options for those who prefer not to drive.
Aging housing stock often requires routine modernization and maintenance updates for older properties.
Cold, snowy winters with significant annual snowfall totals require regular winter weather preparedness.
Job growth within immediate city limits is moderate, requiring many residents to commute to surrounding areas for specialized careers.
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.
Parma
#164Ohio, USA
64.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$58,000
Cost Index
91
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
220/yr
Avg Temp
51.20°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.20%
Livability
75
Business
67
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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