Springfield MA vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
154,751
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.7
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Springfield
10.2%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Springfield
40.8%
West Palm Beach
44.0%
West Palm Beach +
Black
Springfield
20.0%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Springfield
2.8%
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Springfield
47.4%
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
24.6%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 154,751 | 119,508 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 40.2 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 10.2% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 40.8% | 44.0% | West Palm Beach + |
| Black | 20.0% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 2.8% | 2.5% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 47.4% | 24.6% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$51,339
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$27,054
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$85,405
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
8.2%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
25.3%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
19.7%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $51,339 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,054 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $85,405 | $65,328 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.3% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 19.7% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$298,985
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
49.5%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $298,985 | $399,650 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 49.5% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
326
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1086
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
1453
| Metric | Springfield, MA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 326 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1086 | 1453 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
39.6%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.8%
West Palm Beach
13.7%
West Palm Beach +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
21.1%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
13.7%
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.1%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.5%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 39.6% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 13.7% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.1% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.7% | 16.9% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Springfield, MA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 62.3 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
75.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MA | West Palm Beach, 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
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Springfield, MA | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 25.0 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $298,985. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 326 in Springfield. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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