Head-to-Head · City Comparison
San Tan Valley, AZ
VS
Springfield, IL
🏆 San Tan Valley leads 13 of 23 categories
San Tan Valley
Arizona
13
wins
Cost of Living Index
100.0
Median Household Income
$88,466 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
62 ✓ Safer
Population
101,207
Springfield
Illinois
10
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,419
Violent Crime Index
237⚠ High
Population
114,214 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
San Tan Valley, AZ
Pros
74% less violent crime than Springfield
Households earn $26,047 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 2.1 pts lower (4.5%)
Violent crime is well below the national average (235.7 vs 380/100k)
Milder winters — January highs near 66°F vs 36°F
Cons
Higher rents — median is $1,729/mo
Cost of living runs 10% higher than Springfield
Longer commutes — 36.2 min average each way
Hot summers — July highs average 104°F
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $156k less ($147,700 vs $304,000)
Rent averages $816/mo less ($913 vs $1,729)
Commutes run 19 min shorter each way
More college-educated — 34.7% hold a bachelor's or higher
Cooler summers — July highs near 86°F vs 104°F
10% cheaper overall cost of living than San Tan Valley
Cons
Median income trails San Tan Valley by $26,047/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 4.5%)
Key Differences at a Glance
San Tan Valley
Median Income
$26,047
$88,466 vs $62,419/yr
San Tan Valley
Violent Crime
74% lower
235.7 vs 901.2 per 100k
San Tan Valley
Unemployment
2.1 pp lower
4.5% vs 6.6% unemployment
San Tan Valley
Summer Heat
18.7°F warmer
July avg high 104.2°F vs 85.5°F
Springfield
Cost of Living
10% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 100.0 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Median Home Value
$156k less
$147,700 vs $304,000
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | San Tan Valley, AZ | Springfield, IL |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 100.0 | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper |
| Median Home Value | $304,000 | $147,700 ✓ Lower |
| Median Monthly Rent | $1,729⚠ High | $913 ✓ Lower |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $88,466 ✓ Higher | $62,419 |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.5%⚠ High ✓ Lower | 6.6%⚠ High |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 36.2 min⚠ High | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter |
| Work From Home % | 13.5% ✓ Higher | 10.2% |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 56 ✓ Safer | 236⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 62 ✓ Safer | 237⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 46 ✓ Safer | 234⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | C+ (83) | A- (111) ✓ Better |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 19.9:1 | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 22.0% | 34.7% ✓ Higher |
| High School or Higher | 92.3% ✓ Higher | 92.0% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | J O Combs Unified School District (4445) | Springfield SD 186 |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 65.6°F ✓ Warmer | 35.8°F |
| Avg High — July | 104.2°F ✓ Warmer | 85.5°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 8.6" ✓ Drier | 40.4" |
| Annual Snowfall | 0.0" ✓ Less | 21.8" |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 101,207 | 114,214 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 34.7 | 40.1 ✓ Older |
| Homeownership Rate | 80.4% ✓ Higher | 62.4% |
| Under 18 | 28.3% ✓ More | 21.6% |
| Over 65 | 11.7% | 18.7% ✓ More |
Frequently Asked Questions
San Tan Valley's cost of living index is 100.0 vs Springfield's 90.5 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 10% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, San Tan Valley leads 13 of 23 categories. San Tan Valley wins 13 and Springfield wins 10. 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 Tan Valley to Springfield or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($304,000 vs $147,700 median home), income ($88,466 vs $62,419), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
San Tan Valley, AZ and Springfield, IL are about 1,296 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.