D

Springfield, TN

Source:

Affordability Score: 45/100

Population: 28,714 · 1 ZIP codes

The affordability dashboard for Springfield, TN aggregates Census ACS 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code covering 28,714 residents, then layers in county-level federal data to produce an overall grade of D (45/100). The headline inputs are median household income of $72,168, median home value of $312,600, median rent of $1,161 per month, and 19.1% of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. These four metrics alone explain most of the variance between city dashboards.

Cross-agency feeds widen the picture beyond Census demographics. HUD publishes a Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom in this county at $1,730 per month (studio $1,507, 1BR $1,578, 3BR $2,211, 4BR $2,696). Department of Labor data lists infant center-based childcare at $11,007 per year, consuming 15% of the local median household income.

Reading the overall grade requires reading all seven dimensions together. The score weights Income 20%, Safety 20%, Housing 15%, Rent 15%, Education 10%, Commute 10%, and Childcare 10%, with each sub-score benchmarked against national percentiles rather than state averages — so the grade is genuinely comparable across any city in the country. Pressure points are education, housing. Unemployment currently reads 3.4% and poverty 15.5% — numbers worth keeping alongside the headline grade.

Score Breakdown

Income C
$72,168
Median household income
Education F
19.1%
Bachelor's degree or higher
Housing F
4.3x
Home value $312,600 vs income
Commute D
28 min
Average commute time
Rent C-
$1,730/mo
2BR fair market rent (29% of income)
Safety N/A
N/A
Violent crime rate (county)
Childcare D
$11,007/yr
Center-based infant care (15% of income)

Income & Employment

Median Income
$72,168
▲ 16% vs national
Per Capita Income
$33,204
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Poverty Rate
15.5%

Housing

Median Home Value
$312,600
▲ 14% vs national
Median Rent
$1,161/mo
Owner Occupied
69.2%
2BR Fair Market Rent
$1,730/mo
▲ 44% vs national

Fair Market Rents by Bedroom

Studio
$1,507
1BR
$1,578
2BR
$1,730
3BR
$2,211
4BR
$2,696

Safety

Violent Crime Rate
Data Source
FBI UCR (county-level)

Education & Family

Bachelor's Degree+
19.1%
▼ 11 ppt vs national
High School+
60.2%
Median Age
37.9
Avg. Commute
28 min
▲ 2 min vs national

Childcare Costs

Infant (Center)
$11,007/yr
15% of income
Toddler (Center)
$7,610/yr
Preschool (Center)
$7,610/yr
School-Age (Center)
$3,969/yr

What This Means

Springfield, TN receives an overall affordability grade of D (45/100), aggregated from 1 ZIP codes with a total population of 28,714. Challenges include education and housing. Data was unavailable for safety — these dimensions were excluded from the overall score.

Nearby City Dashboards

Explore Springfield ZIP Codes
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What are common questions about this dashboard?

Is Springfield, TN affordable?
Springfield, TN receives an overall affordability grade of D (45/100) based on Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data. Median household income is $72,168. Median home value is $312,600.
What is the cost of living in Springfield?
Key cost metrics: Median rent $1,161/mo. 2BR fair market rent $1,730/mo. Infant childcare $11,007/yr. Median home value $312,600.
How is the affordability score calculated?
The score evaluates 7 dimensions weighted by importance: Income (20%), Safety (20%), Housing (15%), Rent (15%), Education (10%), Commute (10%), and Childcare (10%). Each metric is compared against national percentile benchmarks from Census, HUD, FBI, and DOL data.

Data as of 2024. Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates. Source: HUD Fair Market Rents. Source: FBI Uniform Crime Report. Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices. Verify with HUD →