Springfield IL vs Syracuse NY — 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%
Syracuse, NY
New York · Population: 146,211
- Median HH Income$45,845
- Median Home Price$215,134
- Unemployment7.4%
- Bachelor's+30.5%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
113,714
Syracuse
146,211
Syracuse +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Syracuse
31.9
Syracuse +
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Syracuse
12.1%
Syracuse +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Syracuse
51.9%
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Syracuse
27.6%
Syracuse +
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Syracuse
6.8%
Syracuse +
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Syracuse
10.3%
Syracuse +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Syracuse
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 146,211 | Syracuse + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 31.9 | Syracuse + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 12.1% | Syracuse + |
| White | 70.5% | 51.9% | Springfield + |
| Black | 19.8% | 27.6% | Syracuse + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 6.8% | Syracuse + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 10.3% | Syracuse + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Syracuse
$45,845
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Syracuse
$27,570
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Syracuse
$77,425
Syracuse +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Springfield +
Syracuse
7.4%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Syracuse
29.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
Syracuse
30.5%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $45,845 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $27,570 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $77,425 | Syracuse + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.4% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 29.6% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 30.5% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Syracuse
$215,134
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
Syracuse
41.3%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $215,134 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 41.3% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Syracuse
434
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Syracuse
1736
Syracuse +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 434 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1736 | Syracuse + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
Springfield +
Syracuse
41.5%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Syracuse
12.7%
Syracuse +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
Syracuse
20.8%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Syracuse
9.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Syracuse
15.3%
Syracuse +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
Syracuse
16.1%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 41.5% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 12.7% | Syracuse + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.8% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 15.3% | Syracuse + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.1% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Syracuse
49.0°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
Syracuse
41.5 in
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 49.0°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 41.5 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Syracuse
8.1 µg/m³
Syracuse +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Syracuse
75.0%
Syracuse +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.1 µg/m³ | Syracuse + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Syracuse + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Syracuse
19.3 min
Syracuse +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Syracuse, NY | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 19.3 min | Syracuse + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, 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 434 in Syracuse. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Syracuse has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.1 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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