Springfield MA vs Washington DC — 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%
Washington, DC
District of Columbia · Population: 672,079
- Median HH Income$106,287
- Median Home Price$580,173
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+63.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
154,751
Washington
672,079
Washington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Washington
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
Washington
34.9
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
Washington
13.3%
Washington +
White
Springfield
40.8%
Springfield +
Washington
39.1%
Black
Springfield
20.0%
Washington
43.3%
Washington +
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Washington
4.1%
Washington +
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
Washington
11.6%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 672,079 | Washington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 34.9 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 13.3% | Washington + |
| White | 40.8% | 39.1% | Springfield + |
| Black | 20.0% | 43.3% | Washington + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 4.1% | Washington + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 11.6% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
Washington
$106,287
Washington +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
Washington
$75,253
Washington +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Washington
$101,182
Washington +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
Washington
6.5%
Washington +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
Washington
14.5%
Washington +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
Washington
63.6%
Washington +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $106,287 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $75,253 | Washington + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $101,182 | Washington + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 6.5% | Washington + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 14.5% | Washington + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 63.6% | Washington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
Washington
$580,173
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
Springfield +
Washington
41.1%
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $580,173 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 41.1% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
Springfield +
Washington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
Washington
1999
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 398 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1999 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
Washington
24.6%
Washington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
Washington
7.8%
Washington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
Washington
14.6%
Washington +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Washington
6.7%
Washington +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
Springfield +
Washington
24.0%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
Washington
9.7%
Washington +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 24.6% | Washington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 7.8% | Washington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 14.6% | Washington + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 6.7% | Washington + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 24.0% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 9.7% | Washington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Washington
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Washington
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Washington, DC | 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 +
Washington
8.8 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
Washington
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.2 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
22.6 min
Springfield +
Washington
32.8 min
| Metric | Springfield, MA | Washington, DC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 32.8 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Washington leads in median household income at $106,287, 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 398 in Washington. Washington has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Washington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.6%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Springfield, MALos Angeles, CA vs Springfield, MAChicago, IL vs Springfield, MAHouston, TX vs Springfield, MAPhoenix, AZ vs Springfield, MAPhiladelphia, PA vs Springfield, MA