City Comparison
Champaign vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Champaign scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Champaign
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
1% lower than in Champaign.
| Metric | Champaign | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,250 | $1,200 | +4% |
| Groceries | $380 | $400 | -5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $110 | $110 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $220 | +5% |
| Monthly Total | $2,140 | $2,110 | +1% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springfield offers 7% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Springfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Champaign is estimated at
$52,000 vs $52,000 in Springfield.
| Metric | Champaign | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $64,000 | $69,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 68,817 idx | 74,194 idx |
| Household Income | $61,200 | $66,064 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 1.2°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Springfield sees 1.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Champaign | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 54.10°F | 55.30°F |
| Summer High | 83.80°F | 84.80°F |
| Winter Low | 19.90°F | 20.60°F |
| Rainfall | 28.60 in | 30.10 in |
| Snowfall | 18.80 in | 20.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 265 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Both cities have comparable commute times, within 2 minutes of each other.
Champaign scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
| Metric | Champaign | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 18 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 58.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 36.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.8x the population of Champaign.
From a growth perspective, Champaign is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
| Metric | Champaign | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 88,302 | 112,989 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.80% | — |
| Median Age | 27.5 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Champaign
Advantages
Median home prices remain below the national average per 2024 Zillow data, offering accessible homeownership.
World-class healthcare infrastructure anchored by Carle Foundation Hospital and OSF HealthCare.
An award-winning mass transit system (MTD) providing reliable public transportation across the metro area.
A thriving tech and startup ecosystem fueled by University of Illinois research and talent.
Rich cultural diversity and vibrant arts, dining, and entertainment scenes unusual for a mid-sized city.
Drawbacks
Winter weather brings cold temperatures and significant snowfall, averaging nearly 19 inches annually.
Property taxes in Champaign County are relatively high compared to the national average.
Rental markets near the university experience high turnover and seasonal price spikes.
Car dependency is notable outside of the immediate downtown and campus cores.
Local job market can be heavily tied to institutional cycles and state budget fluctuations.
Springfield
Advantages
Median home values in Springfield are roughly 51% below the national average per U.S. Census Bureau data.
The cost of living sits approximately 7.3% below the national average according to BEA regional price parities.
Springfield offers an average commute time of roughly 20 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average.
The city boasts top-tier regional healthcare facilities, serving as a major medical hub for central Illinois.
Rich historical heritage centered around Abraham Lincoln provides unique cultural tourism and educational assets.
Drawbacks
The city has experienced slight population contractions over recent census estimates due to regional migration patterns.
Certain urban core neighborhoods experience elevated property crime rates relative to suburban boundaries.
Public transit options outside of core bus routes are limited, maintaining a high reliance on personal vehicles.
State-level budget shifts and local tax structures can create periodic fiscal pressures for municipal services.
Winters can bring harsh freezing temperatures and snowfall, requiring active property and roadway maintenance.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Champaign
#324Illinois, USA
60.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,250
Avg Salary
$64,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
18 min
Transit Score
58.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
54.10°F
Pop. Growth
0.80%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
76
Business
72
Springfield
#390Illinois, USA
58.9 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,200
Avg Salary
$69,000
Cost Index
93
Commute
20 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
52.0/100
Sunny Days
265/yr
Avg Temp
55.30°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.10%
Livability
75
Business
67
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