City Comparison
Calgary vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Calgary scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Calgary
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Calgary is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
9% lower compared to Springfield.
Housing costs are a major driver: Calgary's average rent is
24% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Calgary | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,177 | $950 | +24% |
| Groceries | $268 | $400 | -33% |
| Utilities | $125 | $180 | -31% |
| Transport | $90 | $120 | -25% |
| Healthcare | $71 | $250 | -72% |
| Monthly Total | $1,731 | $1,900 | -9% |
| Cost Index | 65 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Calgary offers 9% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Calgary delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Calgary is estimated at
$46,129 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Calgary | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,505 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $46,129 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 82,315 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $69,893 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Calgary | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | % | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Calgary.
Calgary scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Calgary leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Calgary | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 39.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 125.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Calgary is the larger city
— approximately 27.5x the population of Springfield.
From a growth perspective, Calgary is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Springfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Calgary | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,600,000 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.53% | % |
| Median Age | 38.8 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Calgary
Advantages
Calgary has a high median household after-tax income compared to other major Canadian cities, at $107,400 CAD (2021 Census).
The city's Crime Severity Index fell to a near historic low of 61.7 in 2025, well below the national average.
Calgary's tech ecosystem is experiencing rapid growth, expanding at four times the Canadian average since 2021.
Alberta has the lowest provincial tax rate nationally, with no provincial sales tax or land transfer tax, making everyday purchases and homeownership more affordable.
Calgary offers a high quality of life, with 78% of residents rating it as good or excellent in 2025.
Drawbacks
Despite overall safety, property crime remains a significant concern in Calgary, with 51,999 incidents in 2025.
Calgary is largely a car-dependent city, with an average Walk Score of 39, indicating that most errands require a car.
The unemployment rate in Calgary was 6.8% in December 2025, which, while improved, remains a factor for job seekers.
Only 10% of Calgarians live within walking distance of fast and frequent public transit service, limiting car-free convenience.
Rising housing costs, including rent and home purchase prices, continue to be an important consideration for residents.
Springfield
Advantages
Cost of living is approximately 15% below the national average, with housing costs running about 46% below the national norm. [25]
Median rent for a two-bedroom apartment is approximately $920 per month, significantly lower than the national average of $1,430. [25]
The median home value in Springfield is $102,100, which is 64% below the national average. [41]
Springfield has a lower rent-to-income ratio compared to other small metros in Ohio, indicating better rental affordability. [14]
The city is actively working on downtown revitalization, with new residential housing and entertainment venues. [30]
Drawbacks
Springfield has a high crime rate, significantly above both state and national averages, with a concerning trend in violent and property crimes. [9, 26]
The violent crime rate in Springfield is 1371.1 per 100,000 residents, which is substantially higher than the national average. [9]
Springfield has one of the highest crime rates in America, with a chance of becoming a victim of crime being one in 17. [26]
The city's walkability score is very low, indicating a high dependency on cars for transportation. [22, 38]
The median household income of $47,143 is below the national average, and the poverty rate is 23.1%, higher than the national average. [3, 39]
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Calgary
#5Alberta, Canada
76.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,177
Avg Salary
$53,505
Cost Index
65
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
39.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.53%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
78
Business
80
Springfield
#135Ohio, USA
48.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$950
Avg Salary
$49,276
Cost Index
85
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
13.0/10
Walkability
6.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
70
Business
60
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