Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Chicago, IL
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Springfield leads 14 of 23 categories
Chicago
Illinois
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.6⚠ High
Median Household Income
$71,673 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
142⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
2,721,914 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
14
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.
Chicago, IL
Pros
40% less violent crime than Springfield
Households earn $9,254 more per year on average
More college-educated — 42.4% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Violent crime (539.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Springfield
Property crime (3472.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.2% vs 6.6%)
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $157k less ($147,700 vs $304,500)
Rent averages $401/mo less ($913 vs $1,314)
Commutes run 17 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (6.6%)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Chicago
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 Chicago by $9,254/yr
Property crime (4911.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Chicago
Median Income
$9,254
$71,673 vs $62,419/yr
Chicago
Violent Crime
40% lower
539.8 vs 901.2 per 100k
Springfield
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 102.6 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$157k less
$147,700 vs $304,500
Springfield
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
6.6% vs 8.2% unemployment
Springfield
Summer Heat
4.5°F warmer
July avg high 85.5°F vs 81.0°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.6⚠ High | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $304,500 | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,314 | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $71,673 ✓ Higher | $62,419 |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.2%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 34.1 min⚠ High | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 15.6% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 151⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 142⚠ High ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 165⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A (118) ✓ Better | A- (111) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.8:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 42.4% ✓ Higher | 34.7% |
| High School or Higher | 86.6% | 92.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Chicago Public Schools Dist 299 | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 31.9°F | 35.8°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 81.0°F | 85.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 34.4" ✓ Drier | 40.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 38.8" | 21.8" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 2,721,914 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 35.3 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.6% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 20.0% | 21.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.3% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Chicago's cost of living index is 102.6 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 14 of 23 categories. Chicago wins 9 and Springfield wins 14. 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 Chicago to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,500 vs $147,700 median home), income ($71,673 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Chicago, IL and Springfield, IL are about 175 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.