Springfield MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
169,432
Virginia Beach
457,066
Virginia Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Virginia Beach
37.4
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
Virginia Beach
9.1%
Virginia Beach +
White
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Virginia Beach
61.6%
Black
Springfield
4.3%
Virginia Beach
18.9%
Virginia Beach +
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
Virginia Beach
7.2%
Virginia Beach +
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
Virginia Beach
8.9%
Virginia Beach +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 457,066 | Virginia Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 37.4 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 9.1% | Virginia Beach + |
| White | 85.2% | 61.6% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 18.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 7.2% | Virginia Beach + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 8.9% | Virginia Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
Virginia Beach
$90,685
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
Virginia Beach
$47,372
Virginia Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
Virginia Beach
$69,581
Virginia Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Virginia Beach
4.3%
Virginia Beach +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
Virginia Beach
8.4%
Virginia Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
Virginia Beach
40.4%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | $90,685 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | $47,372 | Virginia Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $69,581 | Virginia Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 4.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 8.4% | Virginia Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 40.4% | Virginia Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Virginia Beach
$427,121
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
Virginia Beach
64.9%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $427,121 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | 64.9% | Virginia Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
Virginia Beach
240
Virginia Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
Virginia Beach
1726
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 240 | Virginia Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1726 | Virginia Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
Virginia Beach
36.5%
Virginia Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Virginia Beach
11.8%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
Virginia Beach
16.7%
Virginia Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
Virginia Beach
8.3%
Virginia Beach +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
Virginia Beach
15.6%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
Virginia Beach
12.1%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 36.5% | Virginia Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 11.8% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 16.7% | Virginia Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 8.3% | Virginia Beach + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 15.6% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 12.1% | Virginia Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
Virginia Beach
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
Virginia Beach
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Virginia Beach
8.2 µg/m³
Virginia Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Virginia Beach
75.0%
Virginia Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 8.2 µg/m³ | Virginia Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Virginia Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
Virginia Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Springfield, MO | Virginia Beach, VA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, Virginia Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 240 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Virginia Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Virginia Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Virginia Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.5%.
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