Springfield IL vs Tallahassee 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%
Tallahassee, FL
Florida · Population: 199,696
- Median HH Income$55,931
- Median Home Price$293,664
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+51.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
113,714
Tallahassee
199,696
Tallahassee +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Tallahassee
28.0
Tallahassee +
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Tallahassee
8.0%
Tallahassee +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Tallahassee
50.7%
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Tallahassee
35.7%
Tallahassee +
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Tallahassee
4.0%
Tallahassee +
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Tallahassee
8.6%
Tallahassee +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Tallahassee
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 199,696 | Tallahassee + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 28.0 | Tallahassee + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 8.0% | Tallahassee + |
| White | 70.5% | 50.7% | Springfield + |
| Black | 19.8% | 35.7% | Tallahassee + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 4.0% | Tallahassee + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 8.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Tallahassee
$55,931
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Tallahassee
$35,704
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Tallahassee
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Tallahassee
6.5%
Tallahassee +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Tallahassee
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Tallahassee
51.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $55,931 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $35,704 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.5% | Tallahassee + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 23.2% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 51.0% | Tallahassee + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Tallahassee
$293,664
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
Tallahassee
39.5%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $293,664 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 39.5% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Tallahassee
324
Tallahassee +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Tallahassee
1453
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | Tallahassee + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | Tallahassee + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
Tallahassee
34.1%
Tallahassee +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Tallahassee
9.6%
Tallahassee +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
Tallahassee
20.3%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Tallahassee
13.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Tallahassee
16.7%
Tie
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Tallahassee
12.2%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 34.1% | Tallahassee + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 9.6% | Tallahassee + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.3% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 13.2% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.7% | Tie |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.2% | Tallahassee + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Tallahassee
67.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
Tallahassee
58.1 in
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 67.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 58.1 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Tallahassee
7.2 µg/m³
Tallahassee +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Tallahassee
75.0%
Tallahassee +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Tallahassee + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Tallahassee + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
Tallahassee
20.3 min
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Tallahassee, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 20.3 min | Springfield + |
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, Tallahassee is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. Tallahassee has a lower unemployment rate at 6.5%, and Tallahassee has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Tallahassee scores better with a lower obesity rate of 34.1%.
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