Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Lubbock, TX
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories
Lubbock
Texas
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.9
Median Household Income
$58,734
Violent Crime Index
216⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
258,190 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
12
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.
Lubbock, TX
Pros
9% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (4.6%)
Milder winters — January highs near 55°F vs 36°F
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.9)
Cons
Violent crime (821.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2628.8/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Median income trails Springfield by $3,685/yr
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $34k less ($147,700 vs $181,600)
Rent averages $180/mo less ($913 vs $1,093)
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 93°F
Households earn $3,685 more per year on average
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 4.6%)
Key Differences at a Glance
Lubbock
Violent Crime
9% lower
821.0 vs 901.2 per 100k
Lubbock
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
4.6% vs 6.6% unemployment
Lubbock
Summer Heat
7.2°F warmer
July avg high 92.7°F vs 85.5°F
Both cities
Cost of Living
≈ Equal
Both near 90.9 on the COL index
Springfield
Median Income
$3,685
$62,419 vs $58,734/yr
Springfield
Median Home Value
$34k less
$147,700 vs $181,600
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Lubbock, TX | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.9 | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $181,600 | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,093 | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $58,734 | $62,419 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 16.1 min ✓ Shorter | 17.6 min |
| Work From Home % | 5.9% | 10.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 180⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 216⚠ High ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 125⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (108) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.5:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.2% | 34.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.6% | 92.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | LUBBOCK ISD | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 55.0°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 92.7°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 20.5" ✓ Drier | 40.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 7.0" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 258,190 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 30.0 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.0% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 22.8% ✓ More | 21.6% |
| Over 65 | 12.3% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Lubbock's cost of living index is 90.9 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 0% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories. Lubbock 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 Lubbock to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($181,600 vs $147,700 median home), income ($58,734 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Lubbock, TX and Springfield, IL are about 802 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.