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Living in
Springfield.
About
Life in Springfield
Life in Springfield is fundamentally shaped by its role as the urban and economic anchor of the Pioneer Valley—a working city, not a tourist destination, where you'll find genuine neighborhoods rather than polished downtown corridors. The median household income sits around $53,000, with median home values near $245,000 and rent averaging $1,144 monthly, making it considerably more affordable than Boston or Hartford while still offering the bones of a substantial city with real institutions (four colleges, three major hospitals, and Fortune 100 company headquarters like MassMutual). You'll experience four genuine seasons with hot, humid summers (occasional 90-degree heat and afternoon thunderstorms), cold winters averaging 26°F with around 40 inches of snow, and pleasant spring and fall weather—winters aren't brutal compared to Albany or Worcester, though the 2011 tornado reminds you that the region can surprise you.
Springfield at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
33.7 yrs
Poverty Rate
25.8%
Foreign-Born
10.5%
Broadband Internet
86.0%
of households
Population Growth
-0.8%
recent change · Census Bureau
Median household income
Demographics10.5% foreign-born, most often from Dominican Republic
Who lives in Springfield: race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In Springfield, the largest foreign-born group is from Dominican Republic (17.7%), and 32.9% of residents speak Spanish at home.
Under 18
24.2%
of residents
65 and Older
13.2%
of residents
Households with Kids
33.5%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
31.8%
of households
Married Couples
30.0%
of households
Avg Household Size
2.58
people
Race & Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic
Top countries of origin (foreign-born)
Languages Spoken at Home
Cost of Livingrent 35% below MA average
Rent, home values, and income in Springfield
In Springfield, rent runs 35% below the MA average, and home values are 56% below the MA average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
53.6%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
31.6%
spending 50%+
Cost of Living Index
96.1
metro area (BEA) · US avg = 100
Median Property Tax
$3,695
per year, owner-occupied homes
Homeowners
49.6%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1952
median year built
Vacant Homes
7.1%
of housing units
Home Value Trend
Latest: $301,926 (September 2026)
Jobs & Economyunemployment 2.4 pts above MA average
Unemployment in Springfield
Unemployment in Springfield is 2.4 percentage points higher than the MA average.
Unemployment rate
City-level rate · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
City-level (BLS) · Annual averages
What Springfield Residents Do for Work · share of employed residents by industry
City residents, wherever they work
Commute20.2 min avg
How Springfield residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In Springfield, most residents drive alone to work (72%), and 77% get there in under 30 minutes.
How People Get to Work
Commute Time Distribution
Nearest airports · with airline service
- 12 mi
Bradley International Airport (BDL)
Medium hub3.3M passengers boarded in 2025
- 83 mi
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Major hub21.0M passengers boarded in 2025
Straight-line distance. Size is the FAA’s hub category, based on passenger traffic: regional airports may have only a few flights a day.
Safetyviolent crime 164% above national average
Crime rates for 2025
Violent crime in Springfield runs 164% above the national average.
Violent Crime Rate
870.5
per 100,000 residents
Above average (329 national, 2025)
Property Crime Rate
2,467.8
per 100,000 residents
Above average (1,552 national, 2025)
Springfield Police Department
Natural DisastersThunderstorm Wind most common — 11 events in 2025
Natural hazard risk, storms and earthquakes
FEMA National Risk Index
Relatively Moderate
92.8 / 100
Compares expected losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience against every US county (higher = more risk).
Hampden County, county-wide · FEMA NRI December 2025
In Hampden County, which includes Springfield, the most common type is thunderstorm wind, with 11 recorded events in 2025.
Most common events:
Storm events by year
| Year | Events | Top Type | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 11 | Thunderstorm Wind | $48,900 |
| 2024 | 12 | Thunderstorm Wind | $21,400 |
| 2023 | 17 | Thunderstorm Wind | $98,800 |
| 2022 | 12 | Thunderstorm Wind | $67,700 |
| 2021 | 22 | Thunderstorm Wind | $158,800 |
| 2020 | 34 | Strong Wind | $349,700 |
| 2019 | 28 | Thunderstorm Wind | $564,700 |
| 2018 | 19 | Flood | $151,400 |
Property damage is the National Weather Service's estimate filed with each event. “None reported” means the events were logged with $0 damage; “Not estimated” means no estimate was filed. Storms covering several counties aren't counted here, since NOAA doesn't split their damage by county.
0 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles in the past year
Hampden County, county-wide
Air Quality39 median AQI — Good
Days by air quality category (2025)
Air quality in Hampden County, which includes Springfield, is typically good — 281 good-air days per year.
Median AQI
39
Good Days
281
per year
Moderate Days
79
per year
Unhealthy Days
0
per year
Hampden County, county-wide
Climate83°F summers, 18°F winters
30-year climate averages (1991–2020) — monthly temperatures and precipitation
Springfield has warm summers (avg high 83°F) and very cold winters (avg low 18°F).
Spring (Mar–May)
60°/36°F
avg high / low
Summer (Jun–Aug)
83°/58°F
avg high / low
Fall (Sep–Nov)
63°/40°F
avg high / low
Winter (Dec–Feb)
37°/18°F
avg high / low
Annual Precipitation
50.3"
Annual Snowfall
51.7"
Hot Days/Year
18
days above 90°F
Freeze Days/Year
144
days below 32°F
Rainy Days/Year
137
Average month
Show month-by-month table ↓Hide table ↑
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 35°F | 16°F | 2.75" |
| Feb | 38°F | 17°F | 2.60" |
| Mar | 47°F | 26°F | 3.43" |
| Apr | 60°F | 35°F | 4.06" |
| May | 72°F | 46°F | 3.71" |
| Jun | 80°F | 55°F | 4.37" |
| Jul | 85°F | 61°F | 4.15" |
| Aug | 83°F | 59°F | 3.72" |
| Sep | 75°F | 51°F | 4.60" |
| Oct | 63°F | 39°F | 4.72" |
| Nov | 51°F | 30°F | 3.47" |
| Dec | 40°F | 22°F | 3.58" |
Healthcare2 hospitals, avg 2.0/5
Hospitals, ratings, and health insurance in Springfield
Springfield has 2 hospitals, averaging 2.0 out of 5 on CMS's quality rating — below-average care.
Hospitals
2
within city limits
Uninsured
3.8%
of residents
Avg Hospital Rating
2.0 / 5
Mercy Medical Ctr
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available
Baystate Medical Center
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available
Nearby hospitals · within 15 miles
Miravista Behavioral Health Center
Psychiatric · 6 mi away · Holyoke
Valley Springs Behavioral Health Hospital
Psychiatric · 7.3 mi away · Holyoke
Holyoke Medical Center
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 7.4 mi away · Holyoke
Adult Health · vs. the typical US place
Share of adults. Modeled estimates, not counted cases. “US” = the typical US place.
Medicare-certified hospitals only. Doesn’t include clinics, urgent care, or freestanding ERs.
Education11.1:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in Springfield
Springfield's student/teacher ratio is 11.1:1 (lower than the national average of 16:1), and 20.5% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
72
within city limits
Private Schools
13
within city limits
College Degree Rate
20.5%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
11.1:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Colleges & Universities in Springfield
Springfield Technical Community College
Public · 2-year · 4,759 students · in-state tuition $6,004 · 37% graduate · median earnings $45,410 (10 yrs after entry)
Western New England University
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 2,603 students · in-state tuition $49,490 · 66% graduate · median earnings $81,107 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,751 students · in-state tuition $46,700 · 74% graduate · median earnings $59,623 (10 yrs after entry)
American International College
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,017 students · in-state tuition $45,530 · 48% graduate · median earnings $66,151 (10 yrs after entry)
Springfield College-Regional Online and Continuing Education
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 176 students · 57% graduate · median earnings $59,623 (10 yrs after entry)
Nearby Colleges (within 15 miles)
Public · 4-year · 3,615 students · in-state tuition $12,616 · 63% graduate · median earnings $63,082 (10 yrs after entry)
Public · 2-year · 3,591 students · in-state tuition $6,090 · 27% graduate · median earnings $44,609 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 2,544 students · in-state tuition $67,448 · 90% graduate · median earnings $69,936 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 1,108 students · in-state tuition $39,061 · 57% graduate · median earnings $57,958 (10 yrs after entry)
College of Our Lady of the Elms
3.7 mi awayPrivate nonprofit · 4-year · 949 students · in-state tuition $44,626 · 76% graduate · median earnings $64,534 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 839 students · in-state tuition $61,124 · 61% graduate · median earnings $47,422 (10 yrs after entry)
Degree-granting colleges with 100+ students, placed by campus location (main campuses only — branch campuses are reported under their parent school)
Parks & Recreationclosest: Springfield Armory National Historic Site, 2 mi
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for Springfield
Springfield has 8 nearby national parks or recreation areas, closest being Springfield Armory National Historic Site (2 mi away).
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
Springfield Armory National Historic Site
National Historic Site
2 mi awayNew England National Scenic Trail
National Scenic Trail
12 mi awayColtsville National Historical Park
National Historical Park
42 mi awayRoger Williams National Memorial
National Memorial
61 mi awayBlackstone River Valley National Historical Park
National Historical Park
62 mi awayMartin Van Buren National Historic Site
National Historic Site
62 mi awayMinute Man National Historical Park
National Historical Park
67 mi awayThomas Cole National Historic Site
National Historic Site
68 mi awayPublic Libraries in Springfield
Springfield City Library
220 State St., Springfield
Brightwood Branch Library
359 Plainfield Street, Springfield
East Forest Park
122/124 Island Pond Road, Springfield
East Springfield Branch Library
21 Osborne Terrace, Springfield
Forest Park Branch Library
380 Belmont Avenue, Springfield
Indian Orchard Branch Library
44 Oak Street, Indian Orchard
Mason Square Branch Library
765 State Street, Springfield
Pine Point Branch Library
204 Boston Road, Springfield
Sixteen Acres Branch Library
1187 Parker Street, Springfield
Cities Near Springfield
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to Springfield?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
Springfield FAQ
Is Springfield, Massachusetts affordable?⌄
Springfield's median rent is $1,144/month, which is below the national average, making it relatively affordable. The median household income is $52,656/year. Median home value is $245,000.
Is Springfield, Massachusetts safe?⌄
Springfield's violent crime rate was 871 per 100,000 residents in 2025, which is significantly above the national average of 329/100k that year. Property crime rate is 2468 per 100,000. As with any city, crime rates vary by neighborhood.
What is the job market like in Springfield, Massachusetts?⌄
Springfield has an unemployment rate of 6.9%, which is above the national average of 4.3%.
What is the cost of living in Springfield, Massachusetts?⌄
The cost of living in Springfield is primarily driven by housing. Median rent is $1,144/month and median household income is $52,656/year. The median home value is $245,000. About 54% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
How is the commute in Springfield, Massachusetts?⌄
The average commute in Springfield is 20 minutes, which is shorter than average compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Data from the US Census Bureau, BLS, FBI, NOAA, EPA, Zillow Research and other public sources. Where our data comes from