Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Petersburg
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
75% higher compared to St. Petersburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: St. Petersburg's average rent is
89% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | St. Petersburg | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,799 | $950 | +89% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $311 | $180 | +73% |
| Transport | $124 | $120 | +3% |
| Healthcare | $650 | $250 | +160% |
| Monthly Total | $3,334 | $1,900 | +75% |
| Cost Index | 97 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Petersburg offers 53% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Petersburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in St. Petersburg is estimated at
$94,432 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | St. Petersburg | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $75,192 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $94,432 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 77,518 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $75,192 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | St. Petersburg | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to St. Petersburg.
St. Petersburg scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Petersburg leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | St. Petersburg | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Petersburg is the larger city
— approximately 4.5x the population of Springfield.
From a growth perspective, St. Petersburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | St. Petersburg | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 263,293 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.62% | % |
| Median Age | 43.0 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Petersburg
Advantages
Abundant sunshine and a warm climate year-round, with an average of 361 sunny days annually.
Vibrant arts and culture scene, including the world-renowned Dalí Museum and numerous galleries.
Strong economic growth and a favorable business environment, ranking #4 in the U.S. for economic growth among mid-sized cities.
No state income tax, which can significantly reduce the overall tax burden for residents.
Beautiful beaches and numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, including parks and waterfront activities.
Drawbacks
Higher than average crime rates, with a violent crime rate of 619.6 per 100,000 residents.
Housing costs, including median home prices and rental rates, can be a significant financial burden for residents.
High humidity and oppressive summer conditions, with temperatures often feeling uncomfortable from May to October.
Above-average utility costs, particularly for electricity and sewer services, contributing to the overall cost of living.
Vulnerability to hurricanes and rising sea levels, which can lead to higher insurance premiums and potential property damage.
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.
St. Petersburg
#72Florida, USA
70.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,799
Avg Salary
$75,192
Cost Index
97
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.62%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
78
Business
75
Springfield
#117Ohio, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$49,276
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
13.0/10
Walkability
6.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
70
Business
60
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