Norwalk 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)
Norwalk, CA
California · Population: 100,713
- Median HH Income$98,709
- Median Home Price$765,319
- Unemployment5.6%
- Bachelor's+21.3%
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
Norwalk
100,713
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Norwalk
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Norwalk
36.5
Norwalk +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Norwalk
32.6%
Norwalk +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Norwalk
24.0%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Norwalk
4.2%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Norwalk
13.8%
Norwalk +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Norwalk
69.5%
Norwalk +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Norwalk
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 100,713 | 113,714 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 40.7 | Norwalk + |
| Foreign Born | 32.6% | 4.5% | Norwalk + |
| White | 24.0% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.2% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 13.8% | 2.9% | Norwalk + |
| Hispanic | 69.5% | 3.4% | Norwalk + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Norwalk
$98,709
Norwalk +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Norwalk
$31,989
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Norwalk
$77,230
Norwalk +
Springfield
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Norwalk
5.6%
Norwalk +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Norwalk
9.7%
Norwalk +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Norwalk
21.3%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $98,709 | $65,537 | Norwalk + |
| Per Capita Income | $31,989 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Norwalk + |
| Unemployment Rate | 5.6% | 6.7% | Norwalk + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.7% | 16.5% | Norwalk + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 21.3% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Norwalk
$765,319
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Norwalk
68.1%
Norwalk +
Springfield
63.4%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $765,319 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 68.1% | 63.4% | Norwalk + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
503
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Norwalk
2388
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Norwalk, 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
Norwalk
26.9%
Norwalk +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
12.7%
Norwalk +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Norwalk
16.1%
Norwalk +
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.4%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
15.3%
Norwalk +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Norwalk
10.5%
Norwalk +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 26.9% | 41.1% | Norwalk + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 12.9% | Norwalk + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 16.1% | 17.3% | Norwalk + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 15.4% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 16.7% | Norwalk + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 10.5% | 14.7% | Norwalk + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Norwalk
N/A
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 37.7 in | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Norwalk
7.9 µg/m³
Norwalk +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Norwalk
75.0%
Norwalk +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Norwalk + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Norwalk + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Norwalk
32.1 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Norwalk, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 32.1 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Norwalk leads in median household income at $98,709, 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 Norwalk. Norwalk has a lower unemployment rate at 5.6%, and Norwalk has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Norwalk scores better with a lower obesity rate of 26.9%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Norwalk, CALos Angeles, CA vs Norwalk, CAChicago, IL vs Norwalk, CAHouston, TX vs Norwalk, CANorwalk, CA vs Phoenix, AZNorwalk, CA vs Philadelphia, PA