Jacksonville FL 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)

Jacksonville, FL

Florida · Population: 961,739

  • Median HH Income$66,981
  • Median Home Price$286,396
  • Unemployment4.6%
  • Bachelor's+31.9%

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
Jacksonville
961,739
Jacksonville +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Jacksonville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Jacksonville
36.4
Jacksonville +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Jacksonville
12.2%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Jacksonville
51.2%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Jacksonville
30.1%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Jacksonville
4.9%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Jacksonville
12.0%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Jacksonville
N/A
Springfield
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Jacksonville
$66,981
Jacksonville +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Jacksonville
$37,269
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Jacksonville
$65,328
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Jacksonville
4.6%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Jacksonville
15.0%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Jacksonville
31.9%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Jacksonville
$286,396
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Jacksonville
57.4%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
324
Jacksonville +
Springfield
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Jacksonville
1453
Jacksonville +
Springfield
1842

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
34.8%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.2%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Jacksonville
18.8%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
13.9%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
15.2%
Jacksonville +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Jacksonville
14.8%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
70.2°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Jacksonville
50.0 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Jacksonville
26.0 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +

Which City is Right for You?

Jacksonville leads in median household income at $66,981, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Jacksonville is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. Jacksonville has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Jacksonville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Jacksonville scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.8%.

Compare More Cities

About Jacksonville & Springfield