Louisville KY 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)
Louisville, KY
Kentucky · Population: 627,210
- Median HH Income$64,731
- Median Home Price$264,957
- Unemployment5.0%
- Bachelor's+33.4%
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
Louisville
627,210
Louisville +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Louisville
37.7
Louisville +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Louisville
9.8%
Louisville +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Louisville
63.1%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Louisville
23.7%
Louisville +
Springfield
19.8%
Asian
Louisville
2.6%
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Hispanic
Louisville
8.6%
Louisville +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 627,210 | 113,714 | Louisville + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.7 | 40.7 | Louisville + |
| Foreign Born | 9.8% | 4.5% | Louisville + |
| White | 63.1% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 23.7% | 19.8% | Louisville + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 2.9% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 8.6% | 3.4% | Louisville + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Louisville
$64,731
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
Louisville
$38,890
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Louisville
$52,606
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Unemployment Rate
Louisville
5.0%
Louisville +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Louisville
16.1%
Louisville +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Louisville
33.4%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $64,731 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,890 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $52,606 | $68,110 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.0% | 6.7% | Louisville + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.1% | 16.5% | Louisville + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 33.4% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Louisville
$264,957
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Louisville
60.6%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $264,957 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 60.6% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
223
Louisville +
Springfield
344
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Louisville
1505
Louisville +
Springfield
1842
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 223 | 344 | Louisville + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1505 | 1842 | Louisville + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 41.1% | - |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | N/A | 12.9% | - |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | N/A | 17.3% | - |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | N/A | 8.2% | - |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | N/A | 16.7% | - |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | N/A | 14.7% | - |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Louisville
43.3 in
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 43.3 in | 37.7 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Louisville
8.6 µg/m³
Louisville +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Louisville
75.0%
Louisville +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.6 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Louisville + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Louisville + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Louisville
24.2 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 24.2 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Louisville is safer with a violent crime rate of 223 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. Louisville has a lower unemployment rate at 5.0%, and Louisville has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.6 µg/m³).
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