Gainesville FL vs Springfield MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Gainesville, FL
Florida · Population: 143,611
- Median HH Income$45,611
- Median Home Price$299,633
- Unemployment4.8%
- Bachelor's+51.7%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Gainesville
143,611
Springfield
169,432
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Gainesville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Gainesville
26.5
Gainesville +
Springfield
33.6
Foreign Born
Gainesville
12.1%
Gainesville +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Gainesville
59.2%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Gainesville
21.6%
Gainesville +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Gainesville
6.2%
Gainesville +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Gainesville
13.4%
Gainesville +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Gainesville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 143,611 | 169,432 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 26.5 | 33.6 | Gainesville + |
| Foreign Born | 12.1% | 3.8% | Gainesville + |
| White | 59.2% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 21.6% | 4.3% | Gainesville + |
| Asian | 6.2% | 1.7% | Gainesville + |
| Hispanic | 13.4% | 5.6% | Gainesville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Gainesville
$45,611
Springfield
$45,984
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Gainesville
$30,282
Springfield
$30,864
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Gainesville
$65,328
Gainesville +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Gainesville
4.8%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Gainesville
28.0%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Gainesville
51.7%
Gainesville +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,611 | $45,984 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,282 | $30,864 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,328 | $58,527 | Gainesville + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 28.0% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 51.7% | 30.3% | Gainesville + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Gainesville
$299,633
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Gainesville
38.5%
Springfield
42.9%
Springfield +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $299,633 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 38.5% | 42.9% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
324
Gainesville +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Gainesville
1453
Gainesville +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 324 | 501 | Gainesville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1453 | 2418 | Gainesville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
31.2%
Gainesville +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
8.8%
Gainesville +
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Gainesville
21.3%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
13.9%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
17.8%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Gainesville
11.8%
Gainesville +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 31.2% | 37.7% | Gainesville + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 8.8% | 11.1% | Gainesville + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.3% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.8% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.8% | 17.1% | Gainesville + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
68.9°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Gainesville
47.3 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 68.9°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 47.3 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Gainesville
7.2 µg/m³
Gainesville +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Gainesville
75.0%
Gainesville +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Gainesville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Gainesville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Gainesville
20.1 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Gainesville, FL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 20.1 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $45,984, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Gainesville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Gainesville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Gainesville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.2%.
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