Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Dallas, TX
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Dallas leads 12 of 23 categories
Dallas
Texas
12
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.3⚠ High
Median Household Income
$63,985 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
1,300,642 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
11
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.
Dallas, TX
Pros
27% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.6 pts lower (5.0%)
Milder winters — January highs near 58°F vs 36°F
Cons
Violent crime (658.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Springfield
Property crime (3351.9/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $123k less ($147,700 vs $270,700)
Rent averages $392/mo less ($913 vs $1,305)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Dallas
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 97°F
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
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.0%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Dallas
Median Income
$1,566
$63,985 vs $62,419/yr
Dallas
Violent Crime
27% lower
658.2 vs 901.2 per 100k
Dallas
Unemployment
1.6 pp lower
5.0% vs 6.6% unemployment
Dallas
Summer Heat
11.4°F warmer
July avg high 96.9°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
$123k less
$147,700 vs $270,700
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Dallas, TX | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.3⚠ High | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $270,700 | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,305 | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,985 ✓ Higher | $62,419 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.4 min | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.9% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 168⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 160⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (106) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 14.9:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 36.5% ✓ Higher | 34.7% |
| High School or Higher | 80.2% | 92.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DALLAS ISD | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 57.7°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 96.9°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 41.4" | 40.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.7" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,300,642 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.9% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 24.4% ✓ More | 21.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.0% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Dallas'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, Dallas leads 12 of 23 categories. Dallas wins 12 and Springfield wins 11. 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 Dallas to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($270,700 vs $147,700 median home), income ($63,985 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Dallas, TX and Springfield, IL are about 625 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.