Performance
Score Breakdown
Zamboanga City
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Zamboanga City is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
40% lower compared to Springfield.
Housing costs are a major driver: Zamboanga City's average rent is
86% lower than Springfield's.
| Metric | Zamboanga City | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $130 | $950 | -86% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $183 | $180 | +2% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $1,133 | $1,900 | -40% |
| Cost Index | 95 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Zamboanga City offers 32% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Zamboanga City delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Zamboanga City is estimated at
$55,000 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Zamboanga City | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $65,000 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,421 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $62,000 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Zamboanga City | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 78.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Zamboanga City.
Zamboanga City scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Zamboanga City leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Zamboanga City | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 55.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 60.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Zamboanga City is the larger city
— approximately 17.5x the population of Springfield.
From a growth perspective, Zamboanga City is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Zamboanga City has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Zamboanga City | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 1,018,894 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.00% | % |
| Median Age | 38.0 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.90% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Zamboanga City
Advantages
Zamboanga City offers a low cost of living, with an index of 95, making it more affordable than many other cities in the Philippines.
The city is experiencing robust economic growth, with a GDP growth rate of 4.9% in 2024, positioning it as a key economic hub in the Zamboanga Peninsula region.
Housing is notably affordable, with median rents for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center around $130 USD.
The city is actively improving its business environment through initiatives like the electronic Business One-Stop Shop (eBOSS), enhancing the ease of doing business.
Zamboanga City Medical Center is a significant healthcare provider, expanding its services and representing the Philippines in international healthcare forums.
Drawbacks
The city has a safety index of 40, indicating potential safety concerns that require residents to be vigilant and informed about current conditions.
Infrastructure challenges, including power fluctuations and connectivity issues, have been identified as constraints to business expansion and investment.
While improving, access to healthcare services can be uneven, with some vulnerable barangays reporting a lack of essential services.
The region faces underemployment challenges, with a rate of 18.9% as of January 2024, indicating that many individuals are seeking additional work or better-paying jobs.
The city's remote location can contribute to challenges with port efficiency and broadband access, impacting logistics and digital connectivity.
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.
Zamboanga City
#1Mindanao, Philippines
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$130
Avg Salary
$65,000
Cost Index
95
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
60.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
1.00%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
68
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
Calculate Your Cost Impact
Estimate the salary you'd need when moving between Zamboanga City and Springfield.
Open Cost Calculator