City Comparison
Springfield vs Peoria
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Peoria scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Springfield
Peoria
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
23% lower than in Peoria.
Housing costs are a major driver: Springfield's average rent is
34% lower than Peoria's.
| Metric | Springfield | Peoria | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,200 | $1,817 | -34% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $110 | $120 | -8% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $220 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,110 | $2,737 | -23% |
| Cost Index | 93 | 103 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Peoria offers 4% 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 Springfield is estimated at
$52,000 vs $60,000 in Peoria.
| Metric | Springfield | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $69,000 | $72,000 |
| Salary Needed | $52,000 | $60,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 74,194 idx | 69,903 idx |
| Household Income | $66,064 | $95,815 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Peoria runs warmer on average — a 21.1°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Peoria comes out ahead with 57 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 | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 55.30°F | 76.40°F |
| Summer High | 84.80°F | 105.20°F |
| Winter Low | 20.60°F | 49.40°F |
| Rainfall | 30.10 in | 14.20 in |
| Snowfall | 20.40 in | 0.00 in |
| Sunny Days | 265 | 322 |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 30.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
3,000 minutes (50 hours) per year compared to Peoria.
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 | Springfield | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 20 min | 26 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 42.0/100 |
| Walkability | 52.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 38.00 | 52.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Peoria is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Springfield.
From a growth perspective, Peoria 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 | Springfield | Peoria |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 112,989 | 200,881 |
| Pop. Growth | — | 0.84% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 41.7 |
| Unemployment | 4.10% | 4.90% |
| 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.
Peoria
Advantages
Named Best City for Business by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry in 2026.
Home to Amkor Technology's $7 billion advanced semiconductor campus creating thousands of high-wage jobs.
Consistently ranked among the safest cities in Arizona with low violent and property crime rates.
Abundant outdoor recreation, including Lake Pleasant and over 26 miles of mountain and multi-use trails.
High median household income ($95,815) and a well-educated workforce with top-tier public schools.
Drawbacks
Intense summer heat with average daily highs exceeding 105°F.
High level of car dependency with limited public mass transit options outside of major roadways.
Housing and rental costs have risen significantly, running moderately higher than the national average.
Historically a commuter suburb where a large share of the workforce still travels outside city limits for work.
Water resource management and desert conservation present ongoing long-term regional challenges.
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
Peoria
#76Arizona, USA
69.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,817
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
103
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
42.0/100
Walkability
45.0/100
Sunny Days
322/yr
Avg Temp
76.40°F
Pop. Growth
0.84%
Unemployment
4.90%
Livability
80
Business
85
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