Fullerton CA 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)
Fullerton, CA
California · Population: 141,278
- Median HH Income$104,219
- Median Home Price$1,047,700
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+43.6%
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
Fullerton
141,278
Fullerton +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Fullerton
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Fullerton
36.1
Fullerton +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Fullerton
28.9%
Fullerton +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Fullerton
43.0%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Fullerton
2.1%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Fullerton
24.5%
Fullerton +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Fullerton
39.6%
Fullerton +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Fullerton
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 141,278 | 113,714 | Fullerton + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.1 | 40.7 | Fullerton + |
| Foreign Born | 28.9% | 4.5% | Fullerton + |
| White | 43.0% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 2.1% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 24.5% | 2.9% | Fullerton + |
| Hispanic | 39.6% | 3.4% | Fullerton + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Fullerton
$104,219
Fullerton +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Fullerton
$48,061
Fullerton +
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Fullerton
$77,230
Fullerton +
Springfield
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Fullerton
6.5%
Fullerton +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Fullerton
12.2%
Fullerton +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Fullerton
43.6%
Fullerton +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $104,219 | $65,537 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Income | $48,061 | $41,110 | Fullerton + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Fullerton + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.7% | Fullerton + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.2% | 16.5% | Fullerton + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 43.6% | 35.1% | Fullerton + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Fullerton
$1,047,700
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Fullerton
51.5%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $1,047,700 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 51.5% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
503
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Fullerton
2388
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 503 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2388 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
23.9%
Fullerton +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.9%
Fullerton +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Fullerton
16.8%
Fullerton +
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
10.2%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
15.0%
Fullerton +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Fullerton
9.2%
Fullerton +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 23.9% | 41.1% | Fullerton + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.9% | 12.9% | Fullerton + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.8% | 17.3% | Fullerton + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.2% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.0% | 16.7% | Fullerton + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 9.2% | 14.7% | Fullerton + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
65.1°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Fullerton
13.9 in
Fullerton +
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 65.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 13.9 in | 37.7 in | Fullerton + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Fullerton
7.9 µg/m³
Fullerton +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Fullerton
75.0%
Fullerton +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Fullerton + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Fullerton + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Fullerton
32.5 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Fullerton, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.5 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Fullerton leads in median household income at $104,219, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in Fullerton. Fullerton has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Fullerton has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Fullerton scores better with a lower obesity rate of 23.9%.
Compare More Cities
Fullerton, CA vs New York, NYFullerton, CA vs Los Angeles, CAChicago, IL vs Fullerton, CAFullerton, CA vs Houston, TXFullerton, CA vs Phoenix, AZFullerton, CA vs Philadelphia, PA