Performance
Score Breakdown
Memphis
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 Memphis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Memphis's average rent is
27% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Memphis | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,210 | $950 | +27% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $250 | $180 | +39% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $120 | $250 | -52% |
| Monthly Total | $2,100 | $1,900 | +11% |
| Cost Index | 89 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springfield offers 9% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Springfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Memphis is estimated at
$70,000 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Memphis | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $45,000 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $70,000 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 50,562 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $51,736 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Memphis | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 70.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 0 minutes of each other.
Memphis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Memphis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Memphis | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 21 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 30.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 20.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 19.40 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Memphis is the larger city
— approximately 10.5x the population of Springfield.
From a growth perspective, Memphis 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 | Memphis | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 609,647 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | % | % |
| Median Age | 34.2 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 4.70% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Memphis
Advantages
Memphis boasts a significantly lower cost of living compared to the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
The city has a vibrant cultural scene, particularly renowned for its rich musical heritage and diverse culinary offerings.
Utility rates in Memphis are among the lowest in the United States, contributing to overall affordability.
The rental market exhibits strong demand and low vacancy rates, indicating a stable environment for property owners and investors.
Memphis has seen significant reductions in overall and violent crime rates in 2025, with homicides declining by 26%.
Drawbacks
Memphis has experienced a consistent population decline in recent years, with a projected negative growth rate.
The city has a very high violent crime rate, significantly above the national average, despite recent reductions.
Despite low utility rates, a high energy burden disproportionately affects low-income households.
Memphis is a car-dependent city with low walkability and minimal public transit options.
Tennessee, as a state, ranks low in overall healthcare quality, which may reflect on city-level access and outcomes.
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.
Memphis
#132Tennessee, USA
58.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,210
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
21 min
Transit Score
30.0/10
Walkability
20.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.70%
Livability
55
Business
62
Springfield
#117Ohio, USA
65.0 / 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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Memphis and Springfield.
Open Cost Calculator