Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Salem, OR
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Springfield leads 13 of 23 categories
Salem
Oregon
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
102.4⚠ High
Median Household Income
$67,540 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
140⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
175,754 ✓ 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.
Salem, OR
Pros
41% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 0.5 pts lower (6.1%)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 36°F
Households earn $5,121 more per year on average
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $349,500
Violent crime (532.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Property crime (2803.3/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Cost of living runs 12% higher than Springfield
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $202k less ($147,700 vs $349,500)
Rent averages $311/mo less ($913 vs $1,224)
12% cheaper overall cost of living than Salem
Commutes run 5 min shorter each way
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
Median income trails Salem by $5,121/yr
Key Differences at a Glance
Salem
Median Income
$5,121
$67,540 vs $62,419/yr
Salem
Violent Crime
41% lower
532.2 vs 901.2 per 100k
Salem
Unemployment
0.5 pp lower
6.1% vs 6.6% unemployment
Springfield
Cost of Living
12% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 102.4 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$202k less
$147,700 vs $349,500
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Salem, OR | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 102.4⚠ High | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $349,500⚠ High | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,224 | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $67,540 ✓ Higher | $62,419 |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.1%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 22.7 min | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 12.3% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 137⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 140⚠ High ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 133⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (89) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.6:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 31.0% | 34.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 88.5% | 92.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Salem-Keizer SD 24J | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 48.4°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 83.5°F | 85.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 46.5" | 40.4" ✓ Drier |
| Annual Snowfall | 1.1" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 175,754 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 35.9 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 54.9% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 23.2% ✓ More | 21.6% |
| Over 65 | 15.3% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
Salem's cost of living index is 102.4 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 12% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 13 of 23 categories. Salem 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 Salem to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($349,500 vs $147,700 median home), income ($67,540 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Salem, OR and Springfield, IL are about 1,728 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.