Performance
Score Breakdown
Wanaka
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Wanaka is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
10% lower compared to Springfield.
| Metric | Wanaka | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,021 | $950 | +7% |
| Groceries | $323 | $400 | -19% |
| Utilities | $103 | $180 | -43% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $150 | $250 | -40% |
| Monthly Total | $1,717 | $1,900 | -10% |
| Cost Index | 138 | 85 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springfield offers 95% 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 Wanaka is estimated at
$1,864 vs $33,240 in Springfield.
| Metric | Wanaka | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $2,570 | $49,276 |
| Salary Needed | $1,864 | $33,240 |
| Purchasing Power | 1,862 idx | 57,972 idx |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Wanaka | 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
3,500 minutes (58 hours) per year compared to Wanaka.
Springfield scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Springfield leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Wanaka | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 21 min |
| Transit Score | 0.0/10 | 13.0/10 |
| Walkability | 0.0/10 | 6.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 45.00 | |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.2x the population of Wanaka.
From a growth perspective, Wanaka 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 | Wanaka | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14,261 | 58,190 |
| Pop. Growth | 4.22% | % |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 37.9 |
| Unemployment | 5.08% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $0.0B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wanaka
Advantages
Wanaka is one of the fastest-growing towns in New Zealand, indicating strong economic and population growth.
The town offers a high quality of life with abundant outdoor activities in both summer and winter seasons.
A new $300 million hospital with a 24-hour emergency department has been approved and is under development, significantly improving healthcare access.
Wanaka boasts a high safety index of 89, making it a very secure place to live.
The median after-tax salary in Wanaka is sufficient to cover living expenses for nearly three months.
Drawbacks
The cost of living in Wanaka is very high, particularly for housing.
Average house values are substantial, making homeownership a significant financial commitment.
Rental prices are high, with a median weekly rent of $950 NZD (approximately $557 USD) as of June 2026.
Public transportation options are limited, leading to a medium to high car dependency.
While a new hospital is planned, the current healthcare infrastructure may be perceived as needing improvement to keep pace with population growth.
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.
Wanaka
#1Otago, New Zealand
72.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,021
Avg Salary
$2,570
Cost Index
138
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
0.0/10
Walkability
0.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
4.22%
Unemployment
5.08%
Livability
74
Business
68
Springfield
#111Ohio, 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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