Head-to-Head · City Comparison
Springfield, IL
VS
Tacoma, WA
🏆 Springfield leads 17 of 23 categories
Springfield
Illinois
17
wins
Cost of Living Index
90.5 ✓ Cheaper
Median Household Income
$62,419
Violent Crime Index
237⚠ High ✓ Safer
Population
114,214
Tacoma
Washington
6
wins
Cost of Living Index
113.0⚠ High
Median Household Income
$79,085 ✓ Higher
Violent Crime Index
280⚠ High
Population
219,234 ✓ Larger
Pros & Cons
Auto-generated from official data — head-to-head differences and gaps vs the national average.
Springfield, IL
Pros
Homes cost $268k less ($147,700 vs $415,300)
Rent averages $576/mo less ($913 vs $1,489)
15% less violent crime than Tacoma
23% cheaper overall cost of living than Tacoma
Commutes run 12 min shorter each way
Living costs sit below the national average (index 90.5)
Cons
Violent crime (901.2/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Median income trails Tacoma by $16,666/yr
Property crime (4911.4/100k) runs high vs the U.S. average
Higher unemployment (6.6% vs 5.4%)
Tacoma, WA
Pros
Households earn $16,666 more per year on average
Stronger job market — unemployment is 1.2 pts lower (5.4%)
Milder winters — January highs near 48°F vs 36°F
Cooler summers — July highs near 77°F vs 86°F
Cons
Pricier housing — median home is $415,300
Higher rents — median is $1,489/mo
Violent crime (1063.0/100k) is above the U.S. average of 380
Cost of living runs 23% higher than Springfield
Key Differences at a Glance
Springfield
Cost of Living
23% cheaper
COL index 90.5 vs 113.0 (100 = US avg)
Springfield
Violent Crime
15% lower
901.2 vs 1063.0 per 100k
Springfield
Median Home Value
$268k less
$147,700 vs $415,300
Springfield
Summer Heat
8.7°F warmer
July avg high 85.5°F vs 76.8°F
Tacoma
Median Income
$16,666
$79,085 vs $62,419/yr
Tacoma
Unemployment
1.2 pp lower
5.4% vs 6.6% unemployment
Full Data Comparison
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tacoma, WA |
|---|---|---|
| 💰 Cost of Living | ||
| Cost of Living Index National avg = 100 · lower = cheaper | 90.5 ✓ Cheaper | 113.0⚠ High |
| Median Home Value | $147,700 ✓ Lower | $415,300⚠ High |
| Median Monthly Rent | $913 ✓ Lower | $1,489⚠ High |
| 📈 Income & Economy | ||
| Median Household Income | $62,419 | $79,085 ✓ Higher |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.6%⚠ High | 5.4%⚠ High ✓ Lower |
| Avg Commute Minutes each way | 17.6 min ✓ Shorter | 29.6 min⚠ High |
| Work From Home % | 10.2% | 12.1% ✓ Higher |
| 🔒 Safety | ||
| Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer · 60% violent / 40% property | 236⚠ High ✓ Safer | 275⚠ High |
| Violent Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 237⚠ High ✓ Safer | 280⚠ High |
| Property Crime Index 100 = national avg · lower = safer | 234⚠ High ✓ Safer | 267⚠ High |
| 🎓 Education | ||
| School Quality 100 = national avg · grad rate, staffing & attainment | A- (111) ✓ Better | B- (91) |
| Student-Teacher Ratio Lower = smaller classes | 13.0:1 ✓ Smaller | 18.8:1 |
| Bachelor's Degree or Higher | 34.7% ✓ Higher | 32.8% |
| High School or Higher | 92.0% ✓ Higher | 90.9% |
| School District Name only — no quality rating available | Springfield SD 186 | Tacoma School District |
| 🌤 Weather | ||
| Avg High — January | 35.8°F | 48.1°F ✓ Warmer |
| Avg High — July | 85.5°F ✓ Warmer | 76.8°F |
| Annual Precipitation | 40.4" ✓ Drier | 40.8" |
| Annual Snowfall | 21.8" | 5.6" ✓ Less |
| 👥 Demographics | ||
| Population | 114,214 | 219,234 ✓ Larger |
| Median Age | 40.1 ✓ Older | 36.9 |
| Homeownership Rate | 62.4% ✓ Higher | 56.8% |
| Under 18 | 21.6% ✓ More | 19.7% |
| Over 65 | 18.7% ✓ More | 14.2% |
Frequently Asked Questions
Springfield's cost of living index is 90.5 vs Tacoma's 113.0 (US average = 100).
Springfield is 22% less expensive overall.
Based on the 23 decided categories above, Springfield leads 17 of 23 categories. Springfield wins 17 and Tacoma wins 6. 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 Springfield to Tacoma or relocating the other way, focus on the biggest gaps: housing ($147,700 vs $415,300 median home), income ($62,419 vs $79,085), safety, and schools — all covered in the full table above.
Springfield, IL and Tacoma, WA are about 1,709 miles apart (straight-line distance). Driving distance will be longer depending on the route.