Glendale AZ 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)

Glendale, AZ

Arizona · Population: 271,118

  • Median HH Income$121,351
  • Median Home Price$408,630
  • Unemployment3.3%
  • Bachelor's+47.5%

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
Glendale
271,118
Glendale +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Glendale
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Glendale
35.7
Glendale +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Glendale
9.6%
Glendale +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Glendale
72.7%
Glendale +
Springfield
70.5%
Black
Glendale
3.4%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Glendale
6.6%
Glendale +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Glendale
17.5%
Glendale +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Glendale
N/A
Springfield
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Glendale
$121,351
Glendale +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Glendale
$49,825
Glendale +
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Glendale
$59,120
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Glendale
3.3%
Glendale +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Glendale
5.1%
Glendale +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Glendale
47.5%
Glendale +
Springfield
35.1%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Glendale
$408,630
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Glendale
73.9%
Glendale +
Springfield
63.4%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
450
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Glendale
2150
Springfield
1842
Springfield +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
32.9%
Glendale +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Glendale
11.7%
Glendale +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Glendale
16.7%
Glendale +
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Glendale
17.6%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Glendale
15.7%
Glendale +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Glendale
13.2%
Glendale +
Springfield
14.7%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Glendale
N/A
Springfield
37.7 in

Air Quality

PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Glendale
7.1 µg/m³
Glendale +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Glendale
75.0%
Glendale +
Springfield
55.0%

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Glendale
28.0 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +

Which City is Right for You?

Glendale leads in median household income at $121,351, 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 450 in Glendale. Glendale has a lower unemployment rate at 3.3%, and Glendale has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Glendale scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.9%.

Compare More Cities

About Glendale & Springfield