Performance
Score Breakdown
West Linn
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
74% higher compared to West Linn.
Housing costs are a major driver: West Linn's average rent is
142% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | West Linn | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,300 | $950 | +142% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $250 | $180 | +39% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $181 | $250 | -28% |
| Monthly Total | $3,301 | $1,900 | +74% |
| Cost Index | 135 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springfield offers 4% 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 West Linn is estimated at
$66,840 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | West Linn | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $47,242 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $66,840 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 34,994 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $146,507 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | West Linn | 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
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to West Linn.
West Linn scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, West Linn leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | West Linn | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 24 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 21.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 34.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 50.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.5x the population of West Linn.
From a growth perspective, West Linn 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 | West Linn | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 27,601 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.09% | % |
| Median Age | 43.3 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.00% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
West Linn
Advantages
Consistently ranked as the safest city in Oregon, with very low violent and property crime rates [12, 14].
Exceptional quality of life driven by natural beauty, abundant outdoor recreation, and a peaceful suburban environment [4].
Highly-rated public schools contribute to a family-friendly atmosphere and strong community appeal [41].
High median household income and a strong job market, supported by a well-educated population [3, 5, 9].
Convenient proximity to Portland offers access to major employment centers and urban amenities while maintaining a distinct small-town charm [4].
Drawbacks
High cost of living, particularly for housing and transportation, makes it one of the more expensive cities in Oregon [33, 37, 39].
Car dependency is high, with limited public transportation options and low walkability scores, requiring most residents to own vehicles [6, 7].
Limited development potential due to geographic restrictions may constrain future growth and housing diversity [15].
While major hospitals are nearby, there are no full-service hospitals located directly within West Linn city limits [19, 22].
Oregon's state income tax rates are among the highest in the country, adding to the overall cost for residents [39].
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.
West Linn
#3Oregon, USA
80.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,300
Avg Salary
$47,242
Cost Index
135
Commute
24 min
Transit Score
21.0/10
Walkability
34.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.09%
Unemployment
5.00%
Livability
85
Business
70
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
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