San Diego CA vs Springfield MA — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
San Diego, CA
California · Population: 1,385,061
- Median HH Income$104,321
- Median Home Price$1,006,261
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+49.9%
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
San Diego
1,385,061
San Diego +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Diego
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
San Diego
36.0
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
San Diego
24.8%
San Diego +
Springfield
10.2%
White
San Diego
50.4%
San Diego +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
San Diego
5.7%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
San Diego
17.6%
San Diego +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
San Diego
29.6%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
San Diego
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,385,061 | 154,751 | San Diego + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 24.8% | 10.2% | San Diego + |
| White | 50.4% | 40.8% | San Diego + |
| Black | 5.7% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 17.6% | 2.8% | San Diego + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Diego
$104,321
San Diego +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
San Diego
$54,678
San Diego +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Diego
$77,230
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
San Diego
5.9%
San Diego +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
San Diego
11.1%
San Diego +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
San Diego
49.9%
San Diego +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,321 | $51,339 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Income | $54,678 | $27,054 | San Diego + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.9% | 8.2% | San Diego + |
| Poverty Rate | 11.1% | 25.3% | San Diego + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 49.9% | 19.7% | San Diego + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Diego
$1,006,261
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
San Diego
47.6%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,006,261 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.6% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
503
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Diego
2388
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
24.2%
San Diego +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.2%
San Diego +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Diego
16.5%
San Diego +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Diego
8.5%
San Diego +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Diego
16.9%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Diego
9.3%
San Diego +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 24.2% | 39.6% | San Diego + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.8% | San Diego + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.5% | 21.1% | San Diego + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.5% | 13.7% | San Diego + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.9% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.3% | 17.5% | San Diego + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
61.6°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Diego
12.3 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 61.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 12.3 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
San Diego
7.9 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Diego
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Diego
25.9 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | San Diego, CA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 25.9 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
San Diego leads in median household income at $104,321, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Diego. San Diego has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Diego scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.2%.
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