City Comparison
Elgin vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Elgin scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Elgin
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Elgin.
Housing costs are a major driver: Elgin's average rent is
38% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Elgin | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,650 | $1,200 | +38% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $170 | $180 | -6% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,610 | $2,110 | +24% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Elgin offers 4% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Elgin delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Elgin is estimated at
$58,000 vs $52,000 in Springfield.
| Metric | Elgin | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $69,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 74,194 idx |
| Household Income | $84,500 | $66,064 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.8°F of each other.
Winter severity differs too — Elgin sees 6.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Elgin | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.50°F | 55.30°F |
| Summer High | 82.20°F | 84.80°F |
| Winter Low | 16.40°F | 20.60°F |
| Rainfall | 32.30 in | 30.10 in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | 20.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 257 | 265 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,500 minutes (92 hours) per year compared to Elgin.
Springfield scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Springfield leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Elgin | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 31 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 42.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 44.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
.
From a growth perspective, Elgin 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 | Elgin | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,500 | 112,989 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.50% | — |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.30% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Elgin
Advantages
Median home prices and rental rates remain noticeably more affordable than Chicago proper per Zillow 2025 data.
Direct commuter rail service via the Metra Union Pacific West line connects residents straight to downtown Chicago.
Extensive outdoor recreation opportunities including the scenic Fox River Trail and over 50 municipal parks.
A culturally diverse population supporting a vibrant culinary scene and regular community festivals.
A growing economy anchored by robust healthcare, manufacturing, and education sectors per Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Drawbacks
Illinois property taxes are among the highest in the nation, impacting overall homeowner costs per tax assessors.
Winters are cold and demanding, with the city receiving around 27 inches of annual snowfall per climate records.
Moderate walkability and transit scores outside the immediate downtown core require heavy car dependency.
Traffic congestion during peak hours along the Interstate 90 corridor can lengthen daily commutes.
Pockets of the city experience higher local crime indices, requiring careful neighborhood selection.
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.
Elgin
#242Illinois, USA
62.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,650
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
31 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
257/yr
Avg Temp
50.50°F
Pop. Growth
0.50%
Unemployment
4.30%
Livability
74
Business
70
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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