City Comparison
Harrisburg vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Harrisburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Harrisburg
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
11% higher compared to Harrisburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Harrisburg's average rent is
33% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Harrisburg | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,265 | $950 | +33% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $2,115 | $1,900 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 101 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Harrisburg offers 24% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Harrisburg delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Harrisburg is estimated at
$55,000 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Harrisburg | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $61,016 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 60,412 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $108,724 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Harrisburg | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 65.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Springfield scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Springfield leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Harrisburg | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 19 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Harrisburg.
From a growth perspective, Harrisburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Harrisburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Harrisburg | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,791 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | 2.50% | % |
| Median Age | 31.1 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 0.80% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Harrisburg
Advantages
Harrisburg boasts a very low unemployment rate of 0.8% as of 2026, significantly lower than the national average.
The city has a highly-rated school district, making it attractive for families.
Harrisburg is experiencing rapid population growth, indicating a dynamic and expanding community.
The median household income of $108,724 is well above the national average, reflecting strong economic opportunity.
The average commute time of 19 minutes is shorter than the national average, improving daily convenience for residents.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Harrisburg is slightly higher than the national average, primarily driven by housing costs.
Public transportation options are limited or non-existent, leading to high car dependency.
Walkability scores are low or unavailable, indicating a less pedestrian-friendly environment.
Rapid population growth can place pressure on local infrastructure and resources.
There are no major hospitals directly within Harrisburg, requiring travel to Sioux Falls for comprehensive healthcare.
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.
Harrisburg
#6South Dakota, USA
73.8 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,265
Avg Salary
$61,016
Cost Index
101
Commute
19 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
2.50%
Unemployment
0.80%
Livability
80
Business
70
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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