Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Anchorage, AK
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Springfield leads 13 of 23 categories
Anchorage
Alaska
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
104.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,731 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
267⚠ High
Population
290,674 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,419
Violent Crime Index
237⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,214
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Anchorage, AK
Pros
Households earn $33,312 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.4 pts lower (5.2%)
Cooler summers — July highs near 67°F vs 86°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $363,800
Higher rents — median is $1,405/mo
Violent crime (1014.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 14% higher than Springfield
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $216k less ($147,700 vs $363,800)
Rent averages $492/mo less ($913 vs $1,405)
11% less violent crime than Anchorage
14% cheaper overall cost of living than Anchorage
Milder winters — January highs near 36°F vs 21°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
Cons
Median income trails Anchorage by $33,312/yr
Violent crime (901.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (4911.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.2%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Anchorage
Median Income
$33,312
$95,731 vs $62,419/yr
Anchorage
Unemployment
1.4 pp lower
5.2% vs 6.6% unemployment
Springfield
Cost of Living
14% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 104.5 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Violent Crime
11% lower
901.2 vs 1014.8 per 100k
Springfield
Median Home Value
$216k less
$147,700 vs $363,800
Springfield
Summer Heat
18.1°F warmer
July avg high 85.5°F vs 67.4°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Anchorage, AK | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 104.5⚠ High | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $363,800⚠ High | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,405⚠ High | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,731 ✓ Higher | $62,419 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.2%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 19.1 min | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 8.7% | 10.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 213⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 267⚠ High | 237⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 132⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (94) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.3:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 37.0% ✓ Higher | 34.7% |
| High School or Higher | 94.2% ✓ Higher | 92.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Anchorage School District | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 20.9°F | 35.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 67.4°F | 85.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 22.6" ✓ Drier | 40.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 59.3" | 21.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 290,674 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 34.5 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.8% ✓ Higher | 62.4% |
| Under 18 | 23.9% ✓ More | 21.6% |
| Over 65 | 12.0% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Anchorage's cost of living index is 104.5 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 13 of 23 categories. Anchorage wins 10 and Springfield wins 13. The right choice depends on your priorities — use the Pros & Cons and full table above to weigh what matters to you.
Whether you're moving from Anchorage to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($363,800 vs $147,700 median home), income ($95,731 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Anchorage, AK and Springfield, IL are about 2,873 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.