Spokane 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)
Spokane, WA
Washington · Population: 229,228
- Median HH Income$65,745
- Median Home Price$400,636
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+32.6%
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
Spokane
229,228
Spokane +
Springfield
113,714
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Spokane
N/A
Springfield
N/A
Median Age
Spokane
37.2
Spokane +
Springfield
40.7
Foreign Born
Spokane
6.1%
Spokane +
Springfield
4.5%
White
Spokane
81.0%
Spokane +
Springfield
70.5%
Black
Spokane
2.7%
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Asian
Spokane
2.9%
Spokane +
Springfield
2.9%
Hispanic
Spokane
7.8%
Spokane +
Springfield
3.4%
Spanish at Home
Spokane
N/A
Springfield
N/A
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 229,228 | 113,714 | Spokane + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 37.2 | 40.7 | Spokane + |
| Foreign Born | 6.1% | 4.5% | Spokane + |
| White | 81.0% | 70.5% | Spokane + |
| Black | 2.7% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.9% | Spokane + |
| Hispanic | 7.8% | 3.4% | Spokane + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Spokane
$65,745
Spokane +
Springfield
$65,537
Per Capita Income
Spokane
$38,200
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Spokane
$76,120
Spokane +
Springfield
$68,110
Unemployment Rate
Spokane
6.0%
Spokane +
Springfield
6.7%
Poverty Rate
Spokane
14.6%
Spokane +
Springfield
16.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Spokane
32.6%
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,745 | $65,537 | Spokane + |
| Per Capita Income | $38,200 | $41,110 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $76,120 | $68,110 | Spokane + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.0% | 6.7% | Spokane + |
| Poverty Rate | 14.6% | 16.5% | Spokane + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 32.6% | 35.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Spokane
$400,636
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Homeownership Rate
Spokane
58.3%
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $400,636 | $168,312 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 58.3% | 63.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
383
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Spokane
3409
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
| Metric | Spokane, 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
Spokane
35.3%
Spokane +
Springfield
41.1%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Spokane
10.3%
Spokane +
Springfield
12.9%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Spokane
18.6%
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Spokane
8.2%
Springfield
8.2%
Tie
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Spokane
17.5%
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Spokane
12.7%
Spokane +
Springfield
14.7%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 35.3% | 41.1% | Spokane + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 10.3% | 12.9% | Spokane + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 18.6% | 17.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.2% | Tie |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 17.5% | 16.7% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 12.7% | 14.7% | Spokane + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
46.1°F
Springfield
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Spokane
17.1 in
Spokane +
Springfield
37.7 in
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 46.1°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 17.1 in | 37.7 in | Spokane + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Spokane
7.5 µg/m³
Spokane +
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Spokane
75.0%
Spokane +
Springfield
55.0%
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 7.5 µg/m³ | 9.4 µg/m³ | Spokane + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 55.0% | Spokane + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Spokane
22.6 min
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
| Metric | Spokane, WA | Springfield, IL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 22.6 min | 19.4 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Spokane leads in median household income at $65,745, 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 Spokane. Spokane has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Spokane has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.5 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Spokane scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Spokane, WALos Angeles, CA vs Spokane, WAChicago, IL vs Spokane, WAHouston, TX vs Spokane, WAPhoenix, AZ vs Spokane, WAPhiladelphia, PA vs Spokane, WA