Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, KY
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Springfield leads 13 of 23 categories
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government
Kentucky
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
94.0
Median Household Income
$63,114 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
186⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
629,176 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
13
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.
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, KY
Pros
22% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.3 pts lower (5.3%)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 94.0)
Milder winters — January highs near 42°F vs 36°F
Cons
Violent crime (707.4/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (3326.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 4% higher than Springfield
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $57k less ($147,700 vs $204,800)
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
Rent averages $101/mo less ($913 vs $1,014)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
4% cheaper overall cost of living than Louisville/Jefferson County metro government
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 5.3%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government
Median Income
$695
$63,114 vs $62,419/yr
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government
Violent Crime
22% lower
707.4 vs 901.2 per 100k
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government
Unemployment
1.3 pp lower
5.3% vs 6.6% unemployment
Springfield
Cost of Living
4% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 94.0 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$57k less
$147,700 vs $204,800
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, KY | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 94.0 | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $204,800 | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,014 | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $63,114 ✓ Higher | $62,419 |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.3%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.6 min | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 10.1% | 10.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 175⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 186⚠ High ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 158⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B (99) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.2:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 32.9% | 34.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 90.3% | 92.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Jefferson County | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 42.4°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 87.3°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 53.1" | 40.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 15.1" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 629,176 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 37.9 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.4% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.1% ✓ More | 21.6% |
| Over 65 | 15.8% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government's cost of living index is 94.0 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 4% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 13 of 23 categories. Louisville/Jefferson County metro government wins 10 and Springfield wins 13. 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 Louisville/Jefferson County metro government to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($204,800 vs $147,700 median home), income ($63,114 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, KY and Springfield, IL are about 242 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.
Related Comparisons
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, KY vs Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY
Springfield, IL vs Elgin, IL
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, KY vs Memphis, TN
Springfield, IL vs Peoria, IL
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, KY vs Detroit, MI
Springfield, IL vs Waukegan, IL
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government, KY vs Las Vegas, NV
Springfield, IL vs Rockford, IL