Living in Springfield, MA
Springfield is the 176th-largest city in the US, home to about 155,000 people in 2025. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run close to the national average (96.1 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 154,702-0.8% since 2020
- Median home value
- $245,0004.7 years of median income
- Median rent
- $1,144/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $52,656median, per year
- Price level
- 96.1US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 35° / 85°lows 19° / 63°
- Average commute
- 20 min8% work from home
- State income tax
- 9%top rate, graduated
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County: Hampden County
Time zone: Eastern Time (UTC-5, UTC-4 in summer)
Elevation: about 82 ft
Metro area: Springfield, MA
Cost of living in Springfield
The median home in Springfield is worth $245,000 and the median household earns $52,656 a year, so a typical home costs about 4.7 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $1,144 a month, about 26% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Springfield, MA metro area at 96.1, with housing at 75.8 and goods at 97.0 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $72,000 here. Massachusetts taxes wages at a top rate of 9%. The average combined state and local sales tax in Massachusetts is 6.25%.
What would my salary be worth in Springfield?
Springfield weather
Average highs run from 35°F in January to 85°F in July, and January nights average 19°F. It gets 47 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 52 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 126 times a year. The most comfortable months are May to September.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Springfield
People and work
The median resident is 33.7 years old, and 20% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 50% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 20 minutes; 8% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 33.7116th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 21%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 50%of households
- People per sq mile
- 4,85431.9 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 3%4% walk, 0.4% bike
- Unemployment
- 8.7%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 25.8%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1952median year
Who moves to Springfield, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Bronx County, NY, New York (Queens County) and Lakeland (Polk County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Barnstable County, MA, Orlando (Orange County) and Lakeland (Polk County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Hampden County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: hurricane, inland flooding, strong wind, ice storm.
Home prices
+4.4% in a year
Up 44% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Springfield, MA area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
76% good days
5 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Springfield, MA area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Springfield
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- Connecticut State Community College 25 miles
- University of Massachusetts-Amherst 19 miles
- University of Connecticut 28 miles
- Amherst College 18 miles
- Central Connecticut State University 31 miles
- Springfield Technical Community College in Springfield
- University of Hartford 23 miles
- Holyoke Community College 6 miles
- Westfield State University 11 miles
- Eastern Connecticut State University 33 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Springfield
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Bradley International Airport BDL | 13 mi | 3,285,194 |
| Worcester Regional Airport ORH | 38 mi | 112,872 |
| Tweed-New Haven Regional Airport HVN | 61 mi | 589,409 |
| Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport PVD | 66 mi | 1,984,916 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Springfield
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut State Community College | 25 mi | 33,645 | $9,195 | 25% |
| University of Massachusetts-Amherst | 19 mi | 23,671 | $22,857 | 81% |
| Springfield Technical Community College | in town | 4,759 | $2,020 | 36% |
| University of Hartford | 23 mi | 4,146 | $28,928 | 57% |
| Westfield State University | 11 mi | 3,615 | $16,484 | 49% |
| Holyoke Community College | 6 mi | 3,591 | $6,427 | 35% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Springfield
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 21, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 6 and the first frost comes around October 16.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Hartford Bradley Intl. Airport, CT, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Springfield.
Wildfire smoke in Springfield
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Springfield on about 103 days a year, including about 23 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Springfield
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 57,772 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Springfield
Downtown Springfield is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield School District | Pre-K to 12 | 23,670 | 66 | 11.4 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Chicopee School District (6,755 students), Holyoke School District (4,795 students), Westfield School District (4,772 students), Enfield School District (4,694 students), West Springfield School District (3,998 students), Agawam School District (3,461 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Springfield's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Springfield's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Pittsburgh, PA80% matchCompare
- Grand Rapids, MI79% matchCompare
- Wyoming, MI78% matchCompare
- Indianapolis, IN78% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Ski resorts near Springfield
- Mount Tom Ski Area 10 miles
- Blandford Ski Area 17 miles
- Ski Sundown 24 miles
- Otis Ridge 27 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Springfield
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Commutes are short: 20 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Data Massachusetts's top income tax rate is 9%, among the highest in the country.
- Data Winters are snowy: about 52 inches a year.
- Data Poverty is high: 25.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
Springfield report card from locals
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Cities near Springfield
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford, CT | 24 mi | 121,981 | $228,600 | 102.7 | Compare |
| New Britain, CT | 33 mi | 76,286 | $223,600 | 102.7 | Compare |
| Worcester, MA | 42 mi | 213,862 | $374,400 | 102.5 | Compare |
| Waterbury, CT | 45 mi | 115,771 | $208,500 | 99.8 | Compare |
| New Haven, CT | 59 mi | 138,774 | $287,100 | 104.6 | Compare |
| Cranston, RI | 63 mi | 84,647 | $378,300 | 101.8 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Springfield with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Springfield a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show short commutes; the trade-offs are heavy snow. Compare Springfield side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Springfield?
The Census Bureau estimates Springfield had 154,702 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 155,873 in April 2020 (-0.8%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Springfield?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $72,000 in the Springfield area. The median household here earns $52,656.
When is the best time to visit Springfield?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, May to September are the most comfortable months. July averages 85°F and January 35°F for daytime highs.
What county is Springfield in?
Springfield is in Hampden County, Massachusetts. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Springfield in?
Springfield is on Eastern Time (UTC-5, or UTC-4 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Springfield?
About 82 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Massachusetts have a state income tax?
Yes. Massachusetts has a graduated income tax with a top rate of 9% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Springfield. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Springfield, MA metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Hartford Bradley Intl. Airport, CT station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.