City Comparison
Chicago vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Springfield scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Chicago
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
31% lower than in Chicago.
Housing costs are a major driver: Chicago's average rent is
71% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Chicago | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $2,050 | $1,200 | +71% |
| Groceries | $450 | $400 | +13% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $260 | $220 | +18% |
| Monthly Total | $3,065 | $2,110 | +45% |
| Cost Index | 118 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Chicago offers 13% higher 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 Chicago is estimated at
$60,000 vs $52,000 in Springfield.
| Metric | Chicago | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $69,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 66,102 idx | 74,194 idx |
| Household Income | $76,223 | $66,064 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 3.9°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Chicago sees 8.1 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Chicago | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 51.40°F | 55.30°F |
| Summer High | 81.00°F | 84.80°F |
| Winter Low | 19.00°F | 20.60°F |
| Rainfall | 32.80 in | 30.10 in |
| Snowfall | 28.50 in | 20.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 260 | 265 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Chicago.
Chicago scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Chicago leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Chicago | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 32 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 75.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 78.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 55.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Chicago is the larger city
— approximately 23.6x the population of Springfield.
From a growth perspective, Chicago is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Springfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Chicago | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,665,000 | 112,989 |
| Pop. Growth | — | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.80% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Chicago
Advantages
Extensive and reliable public transit network via the CTA 'L' trains and buses covering the entire city
World-class cultural attractions, including the Art Institute of Chicago and world-renowned dining options
18 miles of continuous public lakefront trail and numerous sandy beaches along Lake Michigan
Significantly more affordable housing compared to coastal tech hubs like New York and San Francisco
Diverse and resilient economy anchored by multiple Fortune 500 headquarters and major financial institutions
Drawbacks
Severe winter weather with freezing temperatures and significant snowfall averaging 28.5 inches annually
High property and sales taxes that contribute to a higher overall cost of living burden
Persistent violent crime challenges concentrated in specific neighborhoods on the south and west sides
Heavy traffic congestion on major expressways during peak morning and evening commuting hours
State pension obligations and local fiscal deficits that put pressure on municipal services and taxation
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.
Chicago
#531Illinois, USA
50.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$2,050
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
118
Commute
32 min
Transit Score
75.0/100
Walkability
78.0/100
Sunny Days
260/yr
Avg Temp
51.40°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.80%
Livability
78
Business
74
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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