Seattle WA 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)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
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
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Springfield
154,751
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
Springfield
10.2%
White
Seattle
61.8%
Seattle +
Springfield
40.8%
Black
Seattle
6.6%
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Springfield
2.8%
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 154,751 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 33.7 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 10.2% | Seattle + |
| White | 61.8% | 40.8% | Seattle + |
| Black | 6.6% | 20.0% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 17.2% | 2.8% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | 47.4% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Springfield
$51,339
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Springfield
$27,054
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Springfield
8.2%
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Springfield
25.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
Springfield
19.7%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | $51,339 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | $27,054 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $85,405 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 25.3% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | 19.7% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $298,985 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 49.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 326 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1086 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Springfield
39.6%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Springfield
14.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
Springfield
21.1%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Springfield
13.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
Springfield
17.5%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 39.6% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 14.8% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 21.1% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 13.7% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 17.5% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
Springfield
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Seattle
28.8 min
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 22.6 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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