Philadelphia PA 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)
Philadelphia, PA
Pennsylvania · Population: 1,582,432
- Median HH Income$60,698
- Median Home Price$233,814
- Unemployment8.4%
- Bachelor's+34.6%
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
Philadelphia
1,582,432
Philadelphia +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Philadelphia
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Philadelphia
35.1
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Philadelphia
14.6%
Philadelphia +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Philadelphia
36.1%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Philadelphia
39.9%
Philadelphia +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Philadelphia
7.8%
Philadelphia +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Philadelphia
15.2%
Philadelphia +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Philadelphia
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,582,432 | 169,432 | Philadelphia + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 14.6% | 3.8% | Philadelphia + |
| White | 36.1% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 39.9% | 4.3% | Philadelphia + |
| Asian | 7.8% | 1.7% | Philadelphia + |
| Hispanic | 15.2% | 5.6% | Philadelphia + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Philadelphia
$60,698
Philadelphia +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Philadelphia
$37,669
Philadelphia +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Philadelphia
$65,080
Philadelphia +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Philadelphia
8.4%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Philadelphia
22.0%
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Philadelphia
34.6%
Philadelphia +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $60,698 | $45,984 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Income | $37,669 | $30,864 | Philadelphia + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $65,080 | $58,527 | Philadelphia + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.4% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 22.0% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 34.6% | 30.3% | Philadelphia + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Philadelphia
$233,814
Philadelphia +
Springfield
$245,279
Homeownership Rate
Philadelphia
52.3%
Philadelphia +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $233,814 | $245,279 | Philadelphia + |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.3% | 42.9% | Philadelphia + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
319
Philadelphia +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
1613
Philadelphia +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 501 | Philadelphia + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1613 | 2418 | Philadelphia + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Philadelphia
N/A
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Springfield
10.0%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Springfield
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Philadelphia
N/A
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 37.7% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 11.1% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 20.0% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 10.0% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 15.6% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 17.1% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
57.1°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Philadelphia
48.5 in
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 57.1°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 48.5 in | 45.6 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Philadelphia
9.8 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Philadelphia
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Philadelphia
34.5 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.5 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Philadelphia leads in median household income at $60,698, while philadelphia offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $233,814. On public safety, Philadelphia is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³).
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