Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Baltimore, MD
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Springfield leads 16 of 23 categories
Baltimore
Maryland
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.7⚠ High
Median Household Income
$58,349
Violent Crime Index
423⚠ High
Population
584,548 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,419 ✓ Higher
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.
Baltimore, MD
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 44°F vs 36°F
Cons
Violent crime (1606.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Springfield
Property crime (4157.0/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Longer commutes — 30.1 min average each way
Springfield, IL
Pros
44% less violent crime than Baltimore
Homes cost $55k less ($147,700 vs $202,900)
Rent averages $322/mo less ($913 vs $1,235)
Commutes run 13 min shorter each way
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Baltimore
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
Cons
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
Key Differences at a Glance
Baltimore
Summer Heat
4.6°F warmer
July avg high 90.1°F vs 85.5°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 102.7 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Income
$4,070
$62,419 vs $58,349/yr
Springfield
Violent Crime
44% lower
901.2 vs 1606.2 per 100k
Springfield
Median Home Value
$55k less
$147,700 vs $202,900
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Baltimore, MD | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.7⚠ High | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $202,900 | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,235 | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,349 | $62,419 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.9%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 30.1 min⚠ High | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.4% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 333⚠ High | 236⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 423⚠ High | 237⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 198⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.4:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.9% ✓ Higher | 34.7% |
| High School or Higher | 87.1% | 92.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Baltimore City Public Schools | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 43.7°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 90.1°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 43.7" | 40.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 19.3" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 584,548 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 36.0 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.4% | 21.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.8% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Baltimore's cost of living index is 102.7 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 16 of 23 categories. Baltimore wins 7 and Springfield wins 16. 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 Baltimore to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($202,900 vs $147,700 median home), income ($58,349 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Baltimore, MD and Springfield, IL are about 695 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.