Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Eugene, OR
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Springfield leads 14 of 23 categories
Eugene
Oregon
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.8⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,481
Violent Crime Index
84 ✓ Safer
Population
176,755 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
14
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,419 ✓ Higher
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.
Eugene, OR
Pros
65% less violent crime than Springfield
More college-educated — 44.2% hold a bachelor's or higher
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 36°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $406,000
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Springfield
Property crime (3255.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $258k less ($147,700 vs $406,000)
Rent averages $356/mo less ($913 vs $1,269)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Eugene
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (6.6%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
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
Eugene
Violent Crime
65% lower
317.9 vs 901.2 per 100k
Springfield
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 103.8 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Income
$938
$62,419 vs $61,481/yr
Springfield
Median Home Value
$258k less
$147,700 vs $406,000
Springfield
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
6.6% vs 7.1% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Eugene, OR | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.8⚠ High | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $406,000⚠ High | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,269 | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,481 | $62,419 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.1%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 18.6 min | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 112⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 84 ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 155⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (103) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 17.1:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 44.2% ✓ Higher | 34.7% |
| High School or Higher | 94.6% ✓ Higher | 92.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Eugene SD 4J | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 84.0°F | 85.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 45.1" | 40.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 2.7" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 176,755 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 35.2 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 47.8% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 16.3% | 21.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 17.2% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Eugene's cost of living index is 103.8 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 14 of 23 categories. Eugene 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 Eugene to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($406,000 vs $147,700 median home), income ($61,481 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Eugene, OR and Springfield, IL are about 1,734 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.