Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Jacksonville, FL
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories
Jacksonville
Florida
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
99.2
Median Household Income
$64,138 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
164⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
950,203 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
12
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.
Jacksonville, FL
Pros
31% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.8 pts lower (4.8%)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 36°F
Cons
Violent crime (623.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2494.5/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 9% higher than Springfield
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $95k less ($147,700 vs $243,000)
Rent averages $368/mo less ($913 vs $1,281)
Commutes run 7 min shorter each way
9% cheaper overall cost of living than Jacksonville
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
More college-educated — 34.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
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 4.8%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Jacksonville
Median Income
$1,719
$64,138 vs $62,419/yr
Jacksonville
Violent Crime
31% lower
623.8 vs 901.2 per 100k
Jacksonville
Unemployment
1.8 pp lower
4.8% vs 6.6% unemployment
Jacksonville
Summer Heat
6.3°F warmer
July avg high 91.8°F vs 85.5°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
9% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 99.2 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$95k less
$147,700 vs $243,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Jacksonville, FL | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 99.2 | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $243,000 | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,281 | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $64,138 ✓ Higher | $62,419 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.8%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 24.4 min | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 11.1% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 146⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 164⚠ High ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 119⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (95) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.1:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.0% | 34.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.5% | 92.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | DUVAL | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.5°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 91.8°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 53.1" | 40.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 950,203 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.0% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.6% ✓ More | 21.6% |
| Over 65 | 14.4% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Jacksonville's cost of living index is 99.2 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 9% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories. Jacksonville wins 11 and Springfield wins 12. 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 Jacksonville to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($243,000 vs $147,700 median home), income ($64,138 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Jacksonville, FL and Springfield, IL are about 793 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.