Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Modesto, CA
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Springfield leads 13 of 23 categories
Modesto
California
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
105.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$73,375 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
173⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
218,308 ✓ 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.
Modesto, CA
Pros
27% less violent crime than Springfield
Households earn $10,956 more per year on average
Milder winters — January highs near 56°F vs 36°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $381,800
Higher rents — median is $1,497/mo
Violent crime (655.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 15% higher than Springfield
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $234k less ($147,700 vs $381,800)
Rent averages $584/mo less ($913 vs $1,497)
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (6.6%)
15% cheaper overall cost of living than Modesto
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
Median income trails Modesto by $10,956/yr
Property crime (4911.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Key Differences at a Glance
Modesto
Median Income
$10,956
$73,375 vs $62,419/yr
Modesto
Violent Crime
27% lower
655.7 vs 901.2 per 100k
Modesto
Summer Heat
9.5°F warmer
July avg high 95.0°F vs 85.5°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
15% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 105.0 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$234k less
$147,700 vs $381,800
Springfield
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
6.6% vs 7.8% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Modesto, CA | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 105.0⚠ High | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $381,800⚠ High | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,497⚠ High | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $73,375 ✓ Higher | $62,419 |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.8%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 29.4 min⚠ High | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 6.9% | 10.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 150⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 173⚠ High ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 115⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C- (65) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 21.8:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 19.7% | 34.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 83.6% | 92.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Modesto City Elementary | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 56.1°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.0°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 12.3" ✓ Drier | 40.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 218,308 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 34.9 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 57.7% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 26.5% ✓ More | 21.6% |
| Over 65 | 13.9% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Modesto's cost of living index is 105.0 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 14% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 13 of 23 categories. Modesto 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 Modesto to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($381,800 vs $147,700 median home), income ($73,375 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Modesto, CA and Springfield, IL are about 1,688 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.