Grand Island NE 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)
Grand Island, NE
Nebraska · Population: N/A
- Median HH IncomeN/A
- Median Home Price$254,245
- UnemploymentN/A
- Bachelor's+N/A
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
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
4.5%
White
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
70.5%
Black
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | N/A | 113,714 | - |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | N/A | 40.7 | - |
| Foreign Born | N/A | 4.5% | - |
| White | N/A | 70.5% | - |
| Black | N/A | 19.8% | - |
| Asian | N/A | 2.9% | - |
| Hispanic | N/A | 3.4% | - |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Grand Island
$66,354
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | N/A | $65,537 | - |
| Per Capita Income | N/A | $41,110 | - |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $66,354 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | N/A | 6.7% | - |
| Poverty Rate | N/A | 16.5% | - |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | N/A | 35.1% | - |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Grand Island
$254,245
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
63.4%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $254,245 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | N/A | 63.4% | - |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
294
Grand Island +
Springfield
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Grand Island
1960
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 294 | 344 | Grand Island + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1960 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
41.5%
Springfield
41.1%
Springfield +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
11.6%
Grand Island +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Grand Island
14.4%
Grand Island +
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
17.5%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
19.1%
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Grand Island
14.8%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.5% | 41.1% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.6% | 12.9% | Grand Island + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 14.4% | 17.3% | Grand Island + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.1% | 16.7% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
50.8°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Grand Island
26.7 in
Grand Island +
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 50.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 26.7 in | 37.7 in | Grand Island + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Grand Island
7.6 µg/m³
Grand Island +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Grand Island
75.0%
Grand Island +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Grand Island + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Grand Island + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Grand Island
N/A
Springfield
19.4 min
| Metric | Grand Island, NE | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | N/A | 19.4 min | - |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Grand Island is safer with a violent crime rate of 294 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. Grand Island has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.6 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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