Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Gilbert, AZ
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Gilbert leads 15 of 23 categories
Gilbert
Arizona
15
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$115,179 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
35 ✓ Safer
Population
267,267 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
8
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.
Gilbert, AZ
Pros
Households earn $52,760 more per year on average
85% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 3.1 pts lower (3.5%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (132.2 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 36°F
More college-educated — 47.1% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $454,300
Higher rents — median is $1,839/mo
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Springfield
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $307k less ($147,700 vs $454,300)
Rent averages $926/mo less ($913 vs $1,839)
Commutes run 9 min shorter each way
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Gilbert
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 104°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
Cons
Median income trails Gilbert by $52,760/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 3.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Gilbert
Median Income
$52,760
$115,179 vs $62,419/yr
Gilbert
Violent Crime
85% lower
132.2 vs 901.2 per 100k
Gilbert
Unemployment
3.1 pp lower
3.5% vs 6.6% unemployment
Gilbert
Summer Heat
18.7°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 85.5°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 102.5 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$307k less
$147,700 vs $454,300
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Gilbert, AZ | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.5⚠ High | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $454,300⚠ High | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,839⚠ High | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $115,179 ✓ Higher | $62,419 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.5% ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 26.7 min | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 20.5% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 39 ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 35 ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (110) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 16.5:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 47.1% ✓ Higher | 34.7% |
| High School or Higher | 96.3% ✓ Higher | 92.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Gilbert Unified District (4239) | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.8" ✓ Drier | 40.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 267,267 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 35.4 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 74.7% ✓ Higher | 62.4% |
| Under 18 | 29.4% ✓ More | 21.6% |
| Over 65 | 10.2% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Gilbert's cost of living index is 102.5 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Gilbert leads 15 of 23 categories. Gilbert wins 15 and Springfield wins 8. 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 Gilbert to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($454,300 vs $147,700 median home), income ($115,179 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Gilbert, AZ and Springfield, IL are about 1,302 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.