Springfield IL vs St. Petersburg FL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Springfield, IL
Illinois · Population: 113,714
- Median HH Income$65,537
- Median Home Price$168,312
- Unemployment6.7%
- Bachelor's+35.1%
St. Petersburg, FL
Florida · Population: 260,646
- Median HH Income$73,118
- Median Home Price$331,500
- Unemployment4.9%
- Bachelor's+41.3%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
113,714
St. Petersburg
260,646
St. Petersburg +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
43.1
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
St. Petersburg
10.1%
St. Petersburg +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
66.2%
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
19.4%
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
St. Petersburg
3.1%
St. Petersburg +
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
St. Petersburg
9.3%
St. Petersburg +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 260,646 | St. Petersburg + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 43.1 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 10.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| White | 70.5% | 66.2% | Springfield + |
| Black | 19.8% | 19.4% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 3.1% | St. Petersburg + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 9.3% | St. Petersburg + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
St. Petersburg
$73,118
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
St. Petersburg
$49,823
St. Petersburg +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
St. Petersburg
4.9%
St. Petersburg +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
St. Petersburg
11.7%
St. Petersburg +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
St. Petersburg
41.3%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $73,118 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $49,823 | St. Petersburg + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.9% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 11.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 41.3% | St. Petersburg + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
$331,500
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
63.0%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $331,500 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 63.0% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
St. Petersburg
324
St. Petersburg +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
St. Petersburg
1453
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | St. Petersburg + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | St. Petersburg + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
St. Petersburg
32.7%
St. Petersburg +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
St. Petersburg
12.2%
St. Petersburg +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
11.1%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
St. Petersburg
16.6%
St. Petersburg +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
St. Petersburg
12.4%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 32.7% | St. Petersburg + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.2% | St. Petersburg + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.1% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.6% | St. Petersburg + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.4% | St. Petersburg + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
St. Petersburg
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
St. Petersburg
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
St. Petersburg
7.2 µg/m³
St. Petersburg +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
St. Petersburg
75.0%
St. Petersburg +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | St. Petersburg + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | St. Petersburg + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
St. Petersburg
26.8 min
| Metric | Springfield, IL | St. Petersburg, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 26.8 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Petersburg leads in median household income at $73,118, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, St. Petersburg is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. St. Petersburg has a lower unemployment rate at 4.9%, and St. Petersburg has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Petersburg scores better with a lower obesity rate of 32.7%.
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