Performance
Score Breakdown
Montreal
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
4% higher compared to Montreal.
Housing costs are a major driver: Montreal's average rent is
42% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Montreal | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,351 | $950 | +42% |
| Groceries | $356 | $400 | -11% |
| Utilities | $107 | $180 | -41% |
| Transport | $100 | $120 | -17% |
| Healthcare | $71 | $250 | -72% |
| Monthly Total | $1,985 | $1,900 | +4% |
| Cost Index | 63 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Montreal offers 9% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Montreal delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Montreal is estimated at
$42,780 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Montreal | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $53,475 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $42,780 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,881 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $45,335 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Montreal | 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
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Montreal.
Montreal scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Montreal leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Montreal | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 29 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 77.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 87.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 39.78 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Low | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Montreal is the larger city
— approximately 33.4x the population of Springfield.
From a growth perspective, Montreal 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 | Montreal | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,945,359 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | 5.30% | % |
| Median Age | 40.6 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 6.80% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Montreal
Advantages
Montreal boasts a vibrant cultural scene with numerous festivals and events year-round, including the Just For Laughs Festival and the Montreal Fireworks Festival.
The city is highly walkable (Walk Score 87) and offers excellent public transportation (Transit Score 77), reducing the need for a car.
Montreal is North America's most bike-friendly city, with over 1,065 kilometers of bike lanes and paths.
The cost of living in Montreal is generally more affordable than in other major Canadian cities like Toronto and Vancouver.
Montreal's economy is diverse and resilient, with strong growth in sectors like aerospace, information technology, and digital media.
Drawbacks
Crimes against persons and hate crimes increased in Montreal in 2024.
Traffic congestion is a notable issue, with Montreal ranking among the most congested cities globally.
While overall rent is more affordable than some major cities, average rent prices have been consistently increasing.
The unemployment rate, while showing recent declines, climbed to 7.8% in 2024 before improving to 6.8% by December 2025.
The average commute time in Montreal is 29 minutes, which is among the highest in Canadian metro areas.
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.
Montreal
#5Quebec, Canada
78.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,351
Avg Salary
$53,475
Cost Index
63
Commute
29 min
Transit Score
77.0/10
Walkability
87.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
5.30%
Unemployment
6.80%
Livability
85
Business
75
Springfield
#116Ohio, 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
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