Cleveland OH vs Springfield IL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Cleveland, OH
Ohio · Population: 367,523
- Median HH Income$39,187
- Median Home Price$117,703
- Unemployment11.5%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Cleveland
367,523
Cleveland +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Cleveland
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Cleveland
36.3
Cleveland +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Cleveland
6.1%
Cleveland +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Cleveland
36.7%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Cleveland
46.8%
Cleveland +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Cleveland
2.3%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Cleveland
12.8%
Cleveland +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Cleveland
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 367,523 | 113,714 | Cleveland + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.3 | 40.7 | Cleveland + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 4.5% | Cleveland + |
| White | 36.7% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 46.8% | 19.8% | Cleveland + |
| Asian | 2.3% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 12.8% | 3.4% | Cleveland + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Cleveland
$39,187
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Cleveland
$27,078
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Cleveland
$58,300
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Cleveland
11.5%
Springfield
6.7%
Springfield +
Poverty Rate
Cleveland
30.8%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
Cleveland
21.3%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $39,187 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $27,078 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,300 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 11.5% | 6.7% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 30.8% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Cleveland
$117,703
Cleveland +
Springfield
$168,312
Homeownership Rate
Cleveland
41.2%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $117,703 | $168,312 | Cleveland + |
| Homeownership Rate | 41.2% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
319
Cleveland +
Springfield
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Cleveland
1866
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 319 | 344 | Cleveland + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1866 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
42.2%
Springfield
41.1%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
17.7%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Cleveland
19.6%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
13.4%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
16.2%
Cleveland +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Cleveland
21.5%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 42.2% | 41.1% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 17.7% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.6% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.4% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.2% | 16.7% | Cleveland + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 21.5% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
52.7°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Cleveland
36.4 in
Cleveland +
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.7°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 36.4 in | 37.7 in | Cleveland + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Cleveland
10.3 µg/m³
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Cleveland
55.0%
Springfield
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 10.3 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Cleveland
24.3 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Cleveland, OH | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.3 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while cleveland offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $117,703. On public safety, Cleveland is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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