San Bernardino 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)
San Bernardino, CA
California · Population: 221,774
- Median HH Income$63,988
- Median Home Price$492,059
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+12.8%
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
San Bernardino
221,774
San Bernardino +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
San Bernardino
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
San Bernardino
31.9
San Bernardino +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
San Bernardino
22.9%
San Bernardino +
Springfield
4.5%
White
San Bernardino
27.6%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
San Bernardino
11.8%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
San Bernardino
4.1%
San Bernardino +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
San Bernardino
69.6%
San Bernardino +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
San Bernardino
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 221,774 | 113,714 | San Bernardino + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.9 | 40.7 | San Bernardino + |
| Foreign Born | 22.9% | 4.5% | San Bernardino + |
| White | 27.6% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 11.8% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 4.1% | 2.9% | San Bernardino + |
| Hispanic | 69.6% | 3.4% | San Bernardino + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
San Bernardino
$63,988
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Per Capita Income
San Bernardino
$23,980
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
San Bernardino
$77,230
San Bernardino +
Springfield
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
San Bernardino
6.5%
San Bernardino +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
San Bernardino
19.5%
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Bachelor's Degree+
San Bernardino
12.8%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $63,988 | $65,537 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $23,980 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $77,230 | $68,110 | San Bernardino + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.7% | San Bernardino + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.5% | 16.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 12.8% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
San Bernardino
$492,059
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
San Bernardino
48.5%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $492,059 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 48.5% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
503
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
San Bernardino
2388
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | San Bernardino, 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
San Bernardino
37.1%
San Bernardino +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
13.6%
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
San Bernardino
20.0%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
20.2%
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.2%
San Bernardino +
Springfield
16.7%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
San Bernardino
15.1%
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.1% | 41.1% | San Bernardino + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 13.6% | 12.9% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 20.2% | 8.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.2% | 16.7% | San Bernardino + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 15.1% | 14.7% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
San Bernardino
N/A
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | San Bernardino, 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.)
San Bernardino
7.9 µg/m³
San Bernardino +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
San Bernardino
75.0%
San Bernardino +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.9 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | San Bernardino + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | San Bernardino + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
San Bernardino
30.7 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | San Bernardino, CA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 30.7 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, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 503 in San Bernardino. San Bernardino has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and San Bernardino has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, San Bernardino scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.1%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs San Bernardino, CALos Angeles, CA vs San Bernardino, CAChicago, IL vs San Bernardino, CAHouston, TX vs San Bernardino, CAPhoenix, AZ vs San Bernardino, CAPhiladelphia, PA vs San Bernardino, CA