Chicago IL vs Springfield MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Chicago, IL
Illinois · Population: 2,707,648
- Median HH Income$75,134
- Median Home Price$324,183
- Unemployment7.9%
- Bachelor's+43.3%
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Chicago
2,707,648
Chicago +
Springfield
169,432
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Chicago
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Chicago
35.7
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
Foreign Born
Chicago
20.7%
Chicago +
Springfield
3.8%
White
Chicago
39.1%
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
Black
Chicago
28.4%
Chicago +
Springfield
4.3%
Asian
Chicago
7.1%
Chicago +
Springfield
1.7%
Hispanic
Chicago
29.6%
Chicago +
Springfield
5.6%
Spanish at Home
Chicago
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 2,707,648 | 169,432 | Chicago + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.7 | 33.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 20.7% | 3.8% | Chicago + |
| White | 39.1% | 85.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 28.4% | 4.3% | Chicago + |
| Asian | 7.1% | 1.7% | Chicago + |
| Hispanic | 29.6% | 5.6% | Chicago + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Chicago
$75,134
Chicago +
Springfield
$45,984
Per Capita Income
Chicago
$48,148
Chicago +
Springfield
$30,864
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Chicago
$68,110
Chicago +
Springfield
$58,527
Unemployment Rate
Chicago
7.9%
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Chicago
16.8%
Chicago +
Springfield
19.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
Chicago
43.3%
Chicago +
Springfield
30.3%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $75,134 | $45,984 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,148 | $30,864 | Chicago + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,527 | Chicago + |
| Unemployment Rate | 7.9% | 4.3% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% | 19.4% | Chicago + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.3% | 30.3% | Chicago + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Chicago
$324,183
Springfield
$245,279
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Chicago
45.5%
Chicago +
Springfield
42.9%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $324,183 | $245,279 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 45.5% | 42.9% | Chicago + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
344
Chicago +
Springfield
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Chicago
1842
Chicago +
Springfield
2418
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 501 | Chicago + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2418 | Chicago + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
32.6%
Chicago +
Springfield
37.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Chicago
12.0%
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Chicago
16.0%
Chicago +
Springfield
20.0%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Chicago
13.6%
Springfield
10.0%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Chicago
19.0%
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Chicago
11.9%
Chicago +
Springfield
17.1%
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 32.6% | 37.7% | Chicago + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.0% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.0% | 20.0% | Chicago + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 10.0% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 15.6% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.9% | 17.1% | Chicago + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
49.2°F
Chicago +
Springfield
56.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Chicago
37.8 in
Chicago +
Springfield
45.6 in
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.2°F | 56.3°F | Chicago + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.8 in | 45.6 in | Chicago + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Chicago
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Chicago
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Chicago
36.5 min
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Chicago, IL | Springfield, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 36.5 min | 19.5 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Chicago leads in median household income at $75,134, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $245,279. On public safety, Chicago is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Chicago scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.6%.
Compare More Cities
Chicago, IL vs New York, NYChicago, IL vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Houston, TXChicago, IL vs Phoenix, AZChicago, IL vs Philadelphia, PAChicago, IL vs San Antonio, TX