Springfield MA vs Tallahassee FL — 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
154,751
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
Tallahassee
8.0%
White
Springfield
40.8%
Tallahassee
50.7%
Tallahassee +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Tallahassee
8.6%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 8.0% | Springfield + |
| White | 40.8% | 50.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Black | 20.0% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 8.6% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Tallahassee
$55,931
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Tallahassee
$35,704
Tallahassee +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Tallahassee
23.2%
Tallahassee +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $55,931 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $35,704 | Tallahassee + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 23.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Tallahassee
$293,664
Tallahassee +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $293,664 | Tallahassee + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 39.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
Tallahassee
1453
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Tallahassee
20.3%
Tallahassee +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Tallahassee
13.2%
Tallahassee +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Tallahassee
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 20.3% | Tallahassee + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 13.2% | Tallahassee + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 16.7% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 58.1 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Tallahassee
20.3 min
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 20.3 min | Tallahassee + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tallahassee leads in median household income at $55,931, while tallahassee offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $293,664. On public safety, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Springfield. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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