Springfield IL vs Surprise AZ — 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%
Surprise, AZ
Arizona · Population: 149,519
- Median HH Income$93,371
- Median Home Price$422,520
- Unemployment4.2%
- Bachelor's+31.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
113,714
Surprise
149,519
Surprise +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Springfield +
Surprise
41.6
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Surprise
6.8%
Surprise +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Surprise
4.8%
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Surprise
2.6%
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Surprise
19.2%
Surprise +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 149,519 | Surprise + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 41.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 6.8% | Surprise + |
| White | 70.5% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
| Black | 19.8% | 4.8% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.6% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 19.2% | Surprise + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Surprise
$93,371
Surprise +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Surprise
$39,604
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Surprise
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Surprise
4.2%
Surprise +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Surprise
7.8%
Surprise +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
Surprise
31.0%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $93,371 | Surprise + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $39,604 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.2% | Surprise + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 7.8% | Surprise + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 31.0% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Surprise
$422,520
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Surprise
79.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $422,520 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 79.0% | Surprise + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Surprise
450
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
Surprise
2150
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 450 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2150 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
Surprise
29.4%
Surprise +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Surprise
11.2%
Surprise +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Surprise
14.2%
Surprise +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Surprise
10.5%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Surprise
14.9%
Surprise +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Surprise
10.4%
Surprise +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 29.4% | Surprise + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.2% | Surprise + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 14.2% | Surprise + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 10.5% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Surprise + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 10.4% | Surprise + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Surprise
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Surprise
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Surprise, AZ | 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
Surprise
7.1 µg/m³
Surprise +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Surprise
75.0%
Surprise +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.1 µg/m³ | Surprise + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Surprise + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
Surprise
32.8 min
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Surprise, AZ | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 32.8 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Surprise leads in median household income at $93,371, 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 450 in Surprise. Surprise has a lower unemployment rate at 4.2%, and Surprise has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Surprise scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.4%.
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