Seattle WA 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)
Seattle, WA
Washington · Population: 741,440
- Median HH Income$121,984
- Median Home Price$871,599
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+67.5%
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
Seattle
741,440
Seattle +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Seattle
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Seattle
35.5
Seattle +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Seattle
19.9%
Seattle +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Seattle
61.8%
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Black
Seattle
6.6%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Seattle
17.2%
Seattle +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Seattle
8.2%
Seattle +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Seattle
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 741,440 | 113,714 | Seattle + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.5 | 40.7 | Seattle + |
| Foreign Born | 19.9% | 4.5% | Seattle + |
| White | 61.8% | 70.5% | Springfield + |
| Black | 6.6% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 17.2% | 2.9% | Seattle + |
| Hispanic | 8.2% | 3.4% | Seattle + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Seattle
$121,984
Seattle +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Seattle
$82,508
Seattle +
Springfield
$41,110
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Seattle
$76,120
Seattle +
Springfield
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Seattle
4.2%
Seattle +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Seattle
9.9%
Seattle +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Seattle
67.5%
Seattle +
Springfield
35.1%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $121,984 | $65,537 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Income | $82,508 | $41,110 | Seattle + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $68,110 | Seattle + |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.2% | 6.7% | Seattle + |
| Poverty Rate | 9.9% | 16.5% | Seattle + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 67.5% | 35.1% | Seattle + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Seattle
$871,599
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Seattle
44.3%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $871,599 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 44.3% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
383
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Seattle
3409
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 383 | 344 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 3409 | 1842 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
22.2%
Seattle +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Seattle
15.3%
Seattle +
Springfield
17.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.1%
Seattle +
Springfield
8.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Seattle
19.0%
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Seattle
6.5%
Seattle +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 22.2% | 41.1% | Seattle + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 12.9% | Seattle + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 15.3% | 17.3% | Seattle + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 6.1% | 8.2% | Seattle + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 19.0% | 16.7% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 6.5% | 14.7% | Seattle + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
52.6°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Seattle
37.5 in
Seattle +
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 52.6°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.5 in | 37.7 in | Seattle + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Seattle
7.5 µg/m³
Seattle +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Seattle
75.0%
Seattle +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Seattle + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Seattle + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Seattle
28.8 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 28.8 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Seattle leads in median household income at $121,984, 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 383 in Seattle. Seattle has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Seattle has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Seattle scores better with a lower obesity rate of 22.2%.
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