Head-to-Head · City Comparison
San Jose, CA
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories
San Jose
California
11
wins
Cost of Living Index
112.9⚠ High
Median Household Income
$136,010 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
160⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
1,001,176 ✓ Larger
Springfield
Illinois
12
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.
San Jose, CA
Pros
Households earn $73,591 more per year on average
33% less violent crime than Springfield
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.9 pts lower (4.7%)
Milder winters — January highs near 59°F vs 36°F
More college-educated — 46.0% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $1,149,600
Higher rents — median is $2,526/mo
Violent crime (606.8/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 22% higher than Springfield
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $1002k less ($147,700 vs $1,149,600)
Rent averages $1613/mo less ($913 vs $2,526)
22% cheaper overall cost of living than San Jose
Commutes run 11 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
Smaller class sizes — 13.0:1 student-teacher ratio
Cons
Median income trails San Jose by $73,591/yr
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 4.7%)
Key Differences at a Glance
San Jose
Median Income
$73,591
$136,010 vs $62,419/yr
San Jose
Violent Crime
33% lower
606.8 vs 901.2 per 100k
San Jose
Unemployment
1.9 pp lower
4.7% vs 6.6% unemployment
Springfield
Cost of Living
22% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 112.9 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$1002k less
$147,700 vs $1,149,600
Springfield
Summer Heat
3.3°F warmer
July avg high 85.5°F vs 82.2°F
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | San Jose, CA | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 112.9⚠ High | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $1,149,600⚠ High | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $2,526⚠ High | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $136,010 ✓ Higher | $62,419 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.7%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 28.8 min⚠ High | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 16.3% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 145⚠ High ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 160⚠ High ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 123⚠ High ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | B+ (104) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 20.8:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 46.0% ✓ Higher | 34.7% |
| High School or Higher | 85.5% | 92.0% ✓ Higher |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | San Jose Unified | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 59.0°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 82.2°F | 85.5°F ✓ Warmer |
| Annual Precipitation | 18.8" ✓ Drier | 40.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 1,001,176 ✓ Larger | 114,214 |
| Median Age | 37.8 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 55.8% | 62.4% ✓ Higher |
| Under 18 | 21.2% | 21.6% ✓ More |
| Over 65 | 13.7% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
San Jose's cost of living index is 112.9 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 22% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 12 of 23 categories. San Jose 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 San Jose to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($1,149,600 vs $147,700 median home), income ($136,010 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
San Jose, CA and Springfield, IL are about 1,738 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.