Riverside 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)
Riverside, CA
California · Population: 316,241
- Median HH Income$88,575
- Median Home Price$648,603
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+25.7%
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
Riverside
316,241
Riverside +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Riverside
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Riverside
33.1
Riverside +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Riverside
22.4%
Riverside +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Riverside
39.2%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Riverside
6.0%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Riverside
8.3%
Riverside +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Riverside
54.6%
Riverside +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Riverside
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 316,241 | 113,714 | Riverside + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.1 | 40.7 | Riverside + |
| Foreign Born | 22.4% | 4.5% | Riverside + |
| White | 39.2% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 6.0% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 8.3% | 2.9% | Riverside + |
| Hispanic | 54.6% | 3.4% | Riverside + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Riverside
$88,575
Riverside +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Riverside
$33,716
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Riverside
$77,230
Riverside +
Springfield
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Riverside
6.0%
Riverside +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Riverside
12.5%
Riverside +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Riverside
25.7%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $88,575 | $65,537 | Riverside + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,716 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | Riverside + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.7% | Riverside + |
| Poverty Rate | 12.5% | 16.5% | Riverside + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 25.7% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Riverside
$648,603
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Riverside
56.3%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $648,603 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 56.3% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
503
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Riverside
2388
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Riverside, 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
Riverside
36.7%
Riverside +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.2%
Riverside +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Riverside
18.5%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Riverside
13.6%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Riverside
15.2%
Riverside +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Riverside
11.5%
Riverside +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 36.7% | 41.1% | Riverside + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.2% | 12.9% | Riverside + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.5% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.7% | Riverside + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 11.5% | 14.7% | Riverside + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
66.8°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Riverside
10.3 in
Riverside +
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 66.8°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 10.3 in | 37.7 in | Riverside + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Riverside
7.9 µg/m³
Riverside +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Riverside
75.0%
Riverside +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Riverside + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Riverside + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Riverside
34.1 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Riverside, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 34.1 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Riverside leads in median household income at $88,575, 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 Riverside. Riverside has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Riverside has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Riverside scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.7%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Riverside, CALos Angeles, CA vs Riverside, CAChicago, IL vs Riverside, CAHouston, TX vs Riverside, CAPhoenix, AZ vs Riverside, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs Riverside, CA