Performance
Score Breakdown
Indianapolis
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
54% higher compared to Indianapolis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Indianapolis's average rent is
18% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Indianapolis | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,123 | $950 | +18% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $327 | $180 | +82% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $900 | $250 | +260% |
| Monthly Total | $2,920 | $1,900 | +54% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Indianapolis offers 54% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Indianapolis delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Indianapolis is estimated at
$55,000 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Indianapolis | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $76,000 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $55,000 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 84,444 idx | 57,972 idx |
| Household Income | $66,219 | $47,143 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Indianapolis | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 73.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
2,000 minutes (33 hours) per year compared to Indianapolis.
Springfield scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Indianapolis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Indianapolis | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 25 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 31.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 29.36 | 45.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Indianapolis is the larger city
— approximately 15.6x the population of Springfield.
From a growth perspective, Indianapolis is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Indianapolis has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Indianapolis | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 910,638 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.33% | % |
| Median Age | 34.3 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Indianapolis
Advantages
The cost of living in Indianapolis is approximately 10.3% lower than the national average, making it a highly affordable city.
Indianapolis boasts a diverse and growing job market, particularly in Healthcare & Life Sciences, Logistics, and Advanced Manufacturing.
The average commute time in Central Indiana is relatively short at 24.6 minutes, contributing to a better work-life balance.
The city has a thriving sports and hospitality sector, attracting major events and offering numerous entertainment options.
Housing inventory is increasing, providing more options for buyers, and median home prices remain competitive.
Drawbacks
Indianapolis has a higher crime rate compared to many U.S. cities, with a BaseScore of 44/100 and a safety index indicating it's safer than only 3% of American cities.
The city is largely car-dependent, with limited walkability and public transit options outside of the downtown core.
The average salary in Indianapolis, at $76,000 annually, is lower than the national average.
Rental prices have experienced rapid growth in recent years, impacting affordability for some residents.
Traffic congestion is increasing, leading to more time lost in traffic for commuters.
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.
Indianapolis
#91Indiana, USA
68.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,123
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
25 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
31.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.33%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
74
Business
70
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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