Head-to-Head · City Comparison
San Bernardino, CA
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Springfield leads 14 of 23 categories
San Bernardino
California
9
wins
Cost of Living Index
107.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$61,323
Violent Crime Index
236⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
221,041 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
14
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.
San Bernardino, CA
Pros
Milder winters — January highs near 67°F vs 36°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $347,100
Violent crime (897.1/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 17% higher than Springfield
Property crime (2897.7/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $199k less ($147,700 vs $347,100)
Rent averages $406/mo less ($913 vs $1,319)
17% cheaper overall cost of living than San Bernardino
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 34.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.0 pts lower (6.6%)
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
San Bernardino
Summer Heat
9.9°F warmer
July avg high 95.4°F vs 85.5°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
17% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 107.9 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Income
$1,096
$62,419 vs $61,323/yr
Springfield
Median Home Value
$199k less
$147,700 vs $347,100
Springfield
Unemployment
1.0 pp lower
6.6% vs 7.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 107.9⚠ High | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $347,100⚠ High | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,319 | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $61,323 | $62,419 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.6%⚠ High | 6.6%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.5 min⚠ High | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 5.1% | 10.2% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 197⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 236⚠ High ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 138⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C (81) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.5:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 12.8% | 34.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 72.5% | 92.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | San Bernardino City Unified | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 66.6°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 95.4°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 21.6" ✓ Drier | 40.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 221,041 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 31.2 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.9% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 27.9% ✓ More | 21.6% |
| Over 65 | 9.8% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
San Bernardino's cost of living index is 107.9 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 17% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 14 of 23 categories. San Bernardino wins 9 and Springfield wins 14. 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 San Bernardino to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($347,100 vs $147,700 median home), income ($61,323 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
San Bernardino, CA and Springfield, IL are about 1,569 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.