Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Carrollton, TX
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Carrollton leads 13 of 23 categories
Carrollton
Texas
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$95,380 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
36 ✓ Safer
Population
132,284 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,419
Violent Crime Index
237⚠ High
Population
114,214
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Carrollton, TX
Pros
85% less violent crime than Springfield
Households earn $32,961 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.9 pts lower (3.7%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (137.1 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 36°F
More college-educated — 42.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $327,300
Higher rents — median is $1,555/mo
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Springfield
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $180k less ($147,700 vs $327,300)
Rent averages $642/mo less ($913 vs $1,555)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Carrollton
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 94°F
Cons
Median income trails Carrollton by $32,961/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 3.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Carrollton
Median Income
$32,961
$95,380 vs $62,419/yr
Carrollton
Violent Crime
85% lower
137.1 vs 901.2 per 100k
Carrollton
Unemployment
2.9 pp lower
3.7% vs 6.6% unemployment
Carrollton
Summer Heat
8.8°F warmer
July avg high 94.3°F vs 85.5°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 103.3 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$180k less
$147,700 vs $327,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Carrollton, TX | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $327,300⚠ High | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,555⚠ High | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $95,380 ✓ Higher | $62,419 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.7% ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 17.8% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 47 ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 36 ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 63 ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (119) ✓ Better | A- (111) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.1% ✓ Higher | 34.7% |
| High School or Higher | 89.4% | 92.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | CARROLLTON-FARMERS BRANCH ISD | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.9°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 94.3°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 39.8" ✓ Drier | 40.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.1" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 132,284 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 38.6 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 19.9% | 21.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 12.9% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Carrollton's cost of living index is 103.3 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Carrollton leads 13 of 23 categories. Carrollton wins 13 and Springfield wins 10. 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 Carrollton to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($327,300 vs $147,700 median home), income ($95,380 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Carrollton, TX and Springfield, IL are about 619 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.