Springfield MA vs Virginia Beach VA — 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%
Virginia Beach, VA
Virginia · Population: 457,066
- Median HH Income$90,685
- Median Home Price$427,121
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+40.4%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
154,751
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Springfield +
Virginia Beach
9.1%
White
Springfield
40.8%
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Virginia Beach +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Springfield +
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 37.4 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 9.1% | Springfield + |
| White | 40.8% | 61.6% | Virginia Beach + |
| Black | 20.0% | 18.9% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 8.9% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $69,581 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $427,121 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
Virginia Beach
1726
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1726 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Virginia Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.8% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | 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 +
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 25.0 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Virginia Beach leads in median household income at $90,685, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Springfield. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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