Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Aurora, CO
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories
Aurora
Colorado
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$78,685 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
249⚠ High
Population
387,349 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
12
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.
Aurora, CO
Pros
Households earn $16,266 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.1 pts lower (5.5%)
Milder winters — January highs near 47°F vs 36°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $409,700
Higher rents — median is $1,651/mo
Violent crime (947.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Springfield
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $262k less ($147,700 vs $409,700)
Rent averages $738/mo less ($913 vs $1,651)
5% less violent crime than Aurora
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Aurora
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
Cons
Violent crime (901.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Aurora by $16,266/yr
Property crime (4911.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Aurora
Median Income
$16,266
$78,685 vs $62,419/yr
Aurora
Unemployment
1.1 pp lower
5.5% vs 6.6% unemployment
Aurora
Summer Heat
4.9°F warmer
July avg high 90.4°F vs 85.5°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 105.5 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Violent Crime
5% lower
901.2 vs 947.8 per 100k
Springfield
Median Home Value
$262k less
$147,700 vs $409,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Aurora, CO | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.5⚠ High | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $409,700⚠ High | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,651⚠ High | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $78,685 ✓ Higher | $62,419 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.0% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 209⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 249⚠ High | 237⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 148⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (93) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.6:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.8% | 34.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.9% | 92.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Aurora Joint District No. 28 of the counties of Adams and A | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 47.3°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.4°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 17.5" ✓ Drier | 40.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 49.0" | 21.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 387,349 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.5% ✓ Higher | 62.4% |
| Under 18 | 24.2% ✓ More | 21.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.9% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Aurora's cost of living index is 105.5 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 15% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories. Aurora wins 11 and Springfield wins 12. 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 Aurora to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($409,700 vs $147,700 median home), income ($78,685 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Aurora, CO and Springfield, IL are about 800 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.