City Comparison
Schaumburg vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Schaumburg scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Schaumburg
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
25% lower than in Schaumburg.
Housing costs are a major driver: Schaumburg's average rent is
54% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Schaumburg | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,850 | $1,200 | +54% |
| Groceries | $420 | $400 | +5% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $130 | $110 | +18% |
| Healthcare | $240 | $220 | +9% |
| Monthly Total | $2,815 | $2,110 | +33% |
| Cost Index | 112 | 93 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Schaumburg 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 Schaumburg is estimated at
$62,000 vs $52,000 in Springfield.
| Metric | Schaumburg | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $78,000 | $69,000 |
| Salary Needed | $62,000 | $52,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 69,643 idx | 74,194 idx |
| Household Income | $91,500 | $66,064 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 4.5°F of each other.
For sunshine, Springfield comes out ahead with 10 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Schaumburg sees 6.6 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Schaumburg | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 50.80°F | 55.30°F |
| Summer High | 82.30°F | 84.80°F |
| Winter Low | 17.20°F | 20.60°F |
| Rainfall | 34.40 in | 30.10 in |
| Snowfall | 27.00 in | 20.40 in |
| Sunny Days | 255 | 265 |
| Humidity | 68.00% | 65.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
4,000 minutes (67 hours) per year compared to Schaumburg.
For walkability, Springfield leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Schaumburg | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 20 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 48.0/100 | 52.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 38.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.7x the population of Schaumburg.
From a growth perspective, Schaumburg is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Schaumburg has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Schaumburg | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 78,723 | 112,989 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.40% | — |
| Median Age | 39.5 | 41.0 |
| Unemployment | 4.00% | 4.10% |
| GDP | — | — |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Schaumburg
Advantages
Home to Woodfield Mall, one of the largest shopping destinations in the United States, offering extensive retail and dining options.
Consistently low crime rates and proactive local policing make it one of the safest communities in the region.
Exceptional park district maintaining over 70 parks, community centers, and recreational facilities for residents.
Strong corporate employment base with major headquarters located directly within the municipal boundaries.
Convenient access to Interstate 90 provides efficient commuting routes to downtown Chicago and O'Hare International Airport.
Drawbacks
Cook County property taxes are among the highest in the nation, putting a heavy financial burden on homeowners.
High level of car dependency outside of core commercial zones, leading to heavy traffic congestion around major retail hubs.
Overall cost of living sits noticeably above the national average, driven primarily by housing and local tax structures.
Winters can be harsh and prolonged, bringing heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures that limit outdoor activities.
Lack of a rapid transit rail station directly within the village center requires reliance on buses or driving to reach Metra stations.
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.
Schaumburg
#237Illinois, USA
62.7 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,850
Avg Salary
$78,000
Cost Index
112
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
48.0/100
Sunny Days
255/yr
Avg Temp
50.80°F
Pop. Growth
0.40%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
82
Business
81
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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