City Comparison
Springfield vs Bloomington
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Bloomington scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Springfield
Bloomington
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
19% lower than in Bloomington.
| Metric | Springfield | Bloomington | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,200 | $1,100 | +9% |
| Groceries | $400 | $685 | -42% |
| Utilities | $180 | $391 | -54% |
| Transport | $110 | $300 | -63% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $120 | +83% |
| Monthly Total | $2,110 | $2,596 | -19% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Bloomington offers 9% lower average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Bloomington delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Springfield is estimated at
$52,000 vs $44,700 in Bloomington.
| Metric | Springfield | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,000 | $76,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $44,700 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,194 idx | 85,393 idx |
| Household Income | $66,064 | $77,384 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Springfield runs warmer on average — a 55.3°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Springfield comes out ahead with 265 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Springfield sees 20.4 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Springfield | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.30°F | °F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 20.60°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 30.10 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.40 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | % |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Bloomington has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
1,500 minutes (25 hours) per year compared to Springfield.
Bloomington scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Bloomington leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Springfield | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 17 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 60.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 35.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 1.4x the population of Bloomington.
From a growth perspective, Bloomington is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Bloomington has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Springfield | Bloomington |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,989 | 79,268 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.20% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 36.2 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 3.90% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
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.
Bloomington
Advantages
The cost of living in Bloomington is 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside.
Bloomington boasts a strong job market with a 2.83% job growth rate from 2023 to 2024, particularly in Finance & Insurance and Healthcare.
The average commute time is 17 minutes, significantly shorter than the national average, leading to less time spent in traffic.
The median household income of $77,384 in 2024 is competitive, supporting a comfortable lifestyle.
The city offers a balanced quality of life with access to good hospitals, schools, and recreational activities.
Drawbacks
Utilities costs in Bloomington are 5.7% higher than the national average, potentially impacting monthly budgets.
Healthcare costs are 6.2% higher than the national average, which could be a consideration for residents.
Public transportation options are available, but the city exhibits high car dependency, with 75% of residents using personal vehicles for commuting.
While generally safe, the city has an average crime rate, suggesting areas where vigilance may be necessary.
The median rent of $1,100 per month, while affordable compared to national averages, can still be a significant expense for some households.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
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
Bloomington
#117Illinois, USA
66.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,100
Avg Salary
$76,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
17 min
Transit Score
50.0/100
Walkability
60.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.20%
Unemployment
3.90%
Livability
74
Business
70
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