Springfield MA vs St. Louis MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Springfield, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 154,751
- Median HH Income$51,339
- Median Home Price$298,985
- Unemployment8.2%
- Bachelor's+19.7%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
154,751
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
St. Louis
6.6%
White
Springfield
40.8%
St. Louis
45.7%
St. Louis +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 36.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 6.6% | Springfield + |
| White | 40.8% | 45.7% | St. Louis + |
| Black | 20.0% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 5.1% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
St. Louis
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
St. Louis
5.1%
St. Louis +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
St. Louis
19.8%
St. Louis +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $58,527 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.1% | St. Louis + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 19.8% | St. Louis + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
St. Louis
45.4%
| Metric | Springfield, MA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 45.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Springfield +
St. Louis
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
St. Louis
2418
| Metric | Springfield, MA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 501 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2418 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
St. Louis
13.2%
St. Louis +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
St. Louis
16.8%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.2% | St. Louis + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 17.9% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.8% | St. Louis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Springfield +
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Springfield +
St. Louis
55.0%
| Metric | Springfield, MA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Springfield + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Springfield, MA | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 24.0 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in St. Louis. St. Louis has a lower unemployment rate at 5.1%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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