Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Philadelphia, PA
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Springfield leads 16 of 23 categories
Philadelphia
Pennsylvania
7
wins
Cost of Living Index
103.5⚠ High
Median Household Income
$57,537
Violent Crime Index
239⚠ High
Population
1,593,208 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
16
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,419 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
237⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,214
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Philadelphia, PA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 42°F vs 36°F
Cons
Violent crime (908.7/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 13% higher than Springfield
Property crime (4548.2/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (8.6% vs 6.6%)
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $68k less ($147,700 vs $215,500)
Rent averages $337/mo less ($913 vs $1,250)
Commutes run 15 min shorter each way
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.0 pts lower (6.6%)
13% cheaper overall cost of living than Philadelphia
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
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
Key Differences at a Glance
Philadelphia
Summer Heat
3.8°F warmer
July avg high 89.3°F vs 85.5°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
13% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 103.5 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Income
$4,882
$62,419 vs $57,537/yr
Springfield
Median Home Value
$68k less
$147,700 vs $215,500
Springfield
Unemployment
2.0 pp lower
6.6% vs 8.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Philadelphia, PA | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 103.5⚠ High | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $215,500 | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,250 | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $57,537 | $62,419 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 8.6%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 32.8 min⚠ High | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.8% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 230⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 239⚠ High | 237⚠ High ✓ Safer |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 217⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B- (92) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 15.0:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 33.6% | 34.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 86.9% | 92.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Philadelphia City SD | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 41.6°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 89.3°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 50.7" | 40.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 16.1" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,593,208 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 34.8 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 52.2% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.5% | 21.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 14.0% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Philadelphia's cost of living index is 103.5 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 13% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 16 of 23 categories. Philadelphia wins 7 and Springfield wins 16. 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 Philadelphia to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($215,500 vs $147,700 median home), income ($57,537 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Philadelphia, PA and Springfield, IL are about 768 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.