Boston
Massachusetts
Pop. 665,945
VS
Springfield
Massachusetts
Pop. 155,305

Full comparison across 7 data categories from U.S. government sources

57
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
70
Overall Score /100
Wins 2 of 7 categories
It's a tie 2–2
based on 7 categories of official U.S. government data
⚡ TL;DR
Springfield wins 2–2 overall (70/100)
💰 Springfield is more affordable
💼 Springfield has lower unemployment
🛡️ Springfield has fewer disasters

📋 Boston vs Springfield — The Verdict

It's a close call — Boston (57/100) and Springfield (70.2/100) each win 2 categories. On affordability, Springfield has a clear edge with home prices 71% lower. Springfield may be the better fit for budget-conscious movers.

💡 Key Differences
🏠
Home prices in Springfield are 71% lower — a difference of $486,400 in median home value.
💰
Renting in Springfield saves you $934/month — that's $11,208 per year.
💵
Households in Boston earn $41,535 more per year (87% higher median income).
🛡️
Springfield has experienced 3 fewer federally declared disasters in the last 20 years, indicating lower overall natural disaster risk.
💰 Boston vs Springfield: Cost of Living Comparison
25
vs
90
Median Home Value
$684,900
$198,500
Median Rent /mo
$1,981
$1,047
Median Income
$89,212
$47,677
Electricity ¢/kWh
¢
¢
The affordability gap is significant — Springfield offers home prices 71% lower than Boston, translating to $486,400 in savings on a median-priced home. This difference alone could determine which city makes financial sense for your situation.
💼 Boston vs Springfield: Job Market & Salaries
60
vs
45
Unemployment Rate
4.8%
4.8%
Job Growth YoY
%
%
Labor Force
N/A
N/A
Job markets are essentially equivalent in both cities — the difference in unemployment rates is negligible. Focus on which city has more openings in your specific field.
🌡️ Boston vs Springfield: Weather & Climate
50
vs
50
Summer High
°F
°F
Winter Low
°F
°F
Sunny Days /yr
Annual Rain
"
"
Annual Snow
"
"
📊 See Full City Rankings →
🌿 Boston vs Springfield: Air Quality & Environment
85
vs
90
Air Quality (AQI)
0
33 Good
Toxic Facilities (TRI)
0
0
Water Violations
0
0
Environmental conditions are broadly similar between the two cities based on current EPA monitoring data.
🌐 Boston vs Springfield: Internet & Infrastructure
50
vs
50
Max Internet Speed
N/A Mbps
N/A Mbps
ISP Providers
0
0
Fiber Available
❌ No
❌ No
Solar Potential (kWh/m²/day)
Internet and utility infrastructure data helps assess remote work viability and monthly overhead costs in each city.
⚠️ Boston vs Springfield: Natural Disaster Risk
95
vs
95
Disasters (20 years)
18
15
Flood Zone
None
None
Earthquake Risk
Low
Low
Hurricane Risk
Moderate
Moderate
Natural disaster exposure is comparable between both cities based on FEMA declaration data.

❓ Moving from Boston to Springfield: Common Questions

Is Boston or Springfield cheaper to live in?
Springfield is more affordable overall. Home prices are $486,400 lower in Springfield. Monthly rent is $1,047 in Springfield vs $1,981 in Boston.
Does Boston or Springfield have better weather?
Springfield scores higher on climate (50/100 vs 50/100).
Is Boston or Springfield better for finding a job?
Springfield currently has a stronger job market. Unemployment is 4.8% in Boston vs 4.8% in Springfield. Median household income is $89,212 in Boston and $47,677 in Springfield.
Which city is safer — Boston or Springfield?
In terms of natural disaster risk, Springfield is safer. Boston has had 18 federal disaster declarations in 20 years vs 15 in Springfield. Boston scores 95/100 on safety vs 95/100 for Springfield.
Should I move from Boston to Springfield?
Based on our data, Springfield scores 70.2/100 vs Boston's 57.0/100 overall. The best choice depends on your priorities — Springfield is more affordable, while Springfield has a better climate.

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📊 Data: U.S. Census Bureau (ACS), Bureau of Labor Statistics (OEWS), NOAA Climate Normals, EPA AirNow & TRI, NREL PVWatts, FEMA Disaster Declarations, FCC Broadband Data. Last updated: April 4, 2026.