Springfield MO 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, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
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
169,432
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
119,508
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
40.2
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Springfield
4.3%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
West Palm Beach
2.5%
West Palm Beach +
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 119,508 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 40.2 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 85.2% | 44.0% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 2.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
West Palm Beach
$65,328
West Palm Beach +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
5.4%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $65,328 | West Palm Beach + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.4% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
West Palm Beach
50.2%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $399,650 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | 50.2% | West Palm Beach + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 16.9% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Springfield, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | 75.4°F | Springfield + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | 62.3 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Springfield, MO | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 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 $245,279. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, 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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