Santa Clarita 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)

Santa Clarita, CA

California · Population: 229,021

  • Median HH Income$119,926
  • Median Home Price$802,780
  • Unemployment5.3%
  • Bachelor's+39.3%

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
Santa Clarita
229,021
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Santa Clarita
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Santa Clarita
38.1
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Santa Clarita
21.6%
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Santa Clarita
53.1%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Santa Clarita
4.4%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Santa Clarita
11.4%
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Santa Clarita
36.0%
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Santa Clarita
N/A
Springfield
N/A

Economy

Median HH Income
Santa Clarita
$119,926
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Santa Clarita
$49,571
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Santa Clarita
$77,230
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Santa Clarita
5.3%
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Santa Clarita
7.7%
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Santa Clarita
39.3%
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
35.1%

Housing

Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Santa Clarita
$802,780
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Santa Clarita
72.0%
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
63.4%

Safety

Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
503
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Santa Clarita
2388
Springfield
1842
Springfield +

Health

Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
24.7%
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.8%
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Santa Clarita
16.0%
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
8.0%
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
16.9%
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Santa Clarita
9.9%
Santa Clarita +
Springfield
14.7%

Climate

Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Santa Clarita
N/A
Springfield
37.7 in

Air Quality

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

Commute

Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Santa Clarita
37.4 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +

Which City is Right for You?

Santa Clarita leads in median household income at $119,926, 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 Santa Clarita. Santa Clarita has a lower unemployment rate at 5.3%, and Santa Clarita has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.9 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Santa Clarita scores better with a lower obesity rate of 24.7%.

Compare More Cities

About Santa Clarita & Springfield