Phoenix AZ 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)
Phoenix, AZ
Arizona · Population: 1,624,832
- Median HH Income$77,041
- Median Home Price$411,323
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+32.3%
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
Phoenix
1,624,832
Phoenix +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Phoenix
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Phoenix
34.8
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Phoenix
19.0%
Phoenix +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Phoenix
53.7%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Phoenix
7.8%
Phoenix +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Phoenix
3.9%
Phoenix +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Phoenix
41.8%
Phoenix +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Phoenix
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,624,832 | 169,432 | Phoenix + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.0% | 3.8% | Phoenix + |
| White | 53.7% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 7.8% | 4.3% | Phoenix + |
| Asian | 3.9% | 1.7% | Phoenix + |
| Hispanic | 41.8% | 5.6% | Phoenix + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Phoenix
$77,041
Phoenix +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Phoenix
$40,309
Phoenix +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Phoenix
$59,120
Phoenix +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Phoenix
5.1%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Phoenix
14.3%
Phoenix +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $77,041 | $45,984 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Income | $40,309 | $30,864 | Phoenix + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $59,120 | $58,527 | Phoenix + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.1% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.3% | 19.4% | Phoenix + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.3% | 30.3% | Phoenix + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Phoenix
$411,323
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Phoenix
57.1%
Phoenix +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $411,323 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.1% | 42.9% | Phoenix + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
450
Phoenix +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Phoenix
2150
Phoenix +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 450 | 501 | Phoenix + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2150 | 2418 | Phoenix + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
32.3%
Phoenix +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
10.8%
Phoenix +
Springfield
11.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Phoenix
16.2%
Phoenix +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
17.3%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
16.3%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Phoenix
12.2%
Phoenix +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.3% | 37.7% | Phoenix + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.8% | 11.1% | Phoenix + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.2% | 20.0% | Phoenix + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.3% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.2% | 17.1% | Phoenix + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
72.1°F
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Phoenix
10.8 in
Phoenix +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 72.1°F | 56.3°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.8 in | 45.6 in | Phoenix + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Phoenix
7.1 µg/m³
Phoenix +
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Phoenix
75.0%
Phoenix +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.1 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Phoenix + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Phoenix + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Phoenix
27.7 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Phoenix, AZ | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 27.7 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Phoenix leads in median household income at $77,041, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Phoenix is safer with a violent crime rate of 450 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Phoenix has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Phoenix scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.3%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Phoenix, AZLos Angeles, CA vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZHouston, TX vs Phoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PA vs Phoenix, AZPhoenix, AZ vs San Antonio, TX