Springfield MA vs Tempe AZ — 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%
Tempe, AZ
Arizona · Population: 186,419
- Median HH Income$77,643
- Median Home Price$468,328
- Unemployment5.7%
- Bachelor's+49.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
154,751
Tempe
186,419
Tempe +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Tempe
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Tempe
29.9
Tempe +
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Tempe
13.9%
Tempe +
White
Springfield
40.8%
Tempe
60.1%
Tempe +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Tempe
7.8%
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Tempe
9.5%
Tempe +
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Tempe
23.1%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Tempe
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 186,419 | Tempe + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 29.9 | Tempe + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 13.9% | Tempe + |
| White | 40.8% | 60.1% | Tempe + |
| Black | 20.0% | 7.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 9.5% | Tempe + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 23.1% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Tempe
$77,643
Tempe +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Tempe
$42,371
Tempe +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Tempe
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Tempe
5.7%
Tempe +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Tempe
16.2%
Tempe +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Tempe
49.5%
Tempe +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $77,643 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $42,371 | Tempe + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $59,120 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.7% | Tempe + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 16.2% | Tempe + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 49.5% | Tempe + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Tempe
$468,328
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
Tempe
41.6%
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $468,328 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 41.6% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Tempe
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
Tempe
2150
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 450 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 2150 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Tempe
27.2%
Tempe +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Tempe
7.2%
Tempe +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Tempe
16.6%
Tempe +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Tempe
10.7%
Tempe +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Tempe
18.3%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Tempe
9.1%
Tempe +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 27.2% | Tempe + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 7.2% | Tempe + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.6% | Tempe + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 10.7% | Tempe + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 18.3% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 9.1% | Tempe + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Tempe
71.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Tempe
9.3 in
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 71.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 9.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
Tempe
7.1 µg/m³
Tempe +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Tempe
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Tempe + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
Tempe
23.2 min
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Tempe, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 23.2 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Tempe leads in median household income at $77,643, 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 450 in Tempe. Tempe has a lower unemployment rate at 5.7%, and Tempe has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tempe scores better with a lower obesity rate of 27.2%.
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