Springfield IL vs Toledo OH — 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%
Toledo, OH
Ohio · Population: 268,461
- Median HH Income$47,532
- Median Home Price$130,101
- Unemployment8.5%
- Bachelor's+21.0%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
113,714
Toledo
268,461
Toledo +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Toledo
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Toledo
35.7
Toledo +
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Springfield +
Toledo
3.4%
White
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Toledo
58.7%
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Toledo
28.7%
Toledo +
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Toledo
1.4%
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Toledo
8.9%
Toledo +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Toledo
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 268,461 | Toledo + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 35.7 | Toledo + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 3.4% | Springfield + |
| White | 70.5% | 58.7% | Springfield + |
| Black | 19.8% | 28.7% | Toledo + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.4% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 8.9% | Toledo + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Toledo
$47,532
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Toledo
$27,407
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Toledo
$58,300
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Springfield +
Toledo
8.5%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Toledo
24.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
Toledo
21.0%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $47,532 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $27,407 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $58,300 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 8.5% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 24.5% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 21.0% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Toledo
$130,101
Toledo +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
Toledo
52.7%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $130,101 | Toledo + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 52.7% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Toledo
319
Toledo +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
Toledo
1866
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 319 | Toledo + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1866 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
Toledo
39.3%
Toledo +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Toledo
15.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
Toledo
20.6%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Toledo
11.3%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Toledo
14.9%
Toledo +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
Toledo
19.9%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 39.3% | Toledo + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 15.7% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.6% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 11.3% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.9% | Toledo + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 19.9% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Toledo
50.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Toledo
33.4 in
Toledo +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 50.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 33.4 in | Toledo + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Springfield +
Toledo
10.3 µg/m³
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Toledo
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 10.3 µg/m³ | Springfield + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
Toledo
21.3 min
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Toledo, OH | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 21.3 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Springfield leads in median household income at $65,537, while toledo offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $130,101. On public safety, Toledo is safer with a violent crime rate of 319 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Springfield has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.4 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Toledo scores better with a lower obesity rate of 39.3%.
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