Springfield IL vs Waco TX — 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%
Waco, TX
Texas · Population: 141,925
- Median HH Income$51,468
- Median Home Price$196,465
- Unemployment4.4%
- Bachelor's+28.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
113,714
Waco
141,925
Waco +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Waco
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Waco
29.2
Waco +
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Waco
9.8%
Waco +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Waco
54.0%
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Waco
20.4%
Waco +
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Waco
2.0%
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Waco
29.9%
Waco +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Waco
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 141,925 | Waco + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 29.2 | Waco + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 9.8% | Waco + |
| White | 70.5% | 54.0% | Springfield + |
| Black | 19.8% | 20.4% | Waco + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.0% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 29.9% | Waco + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Waco
$51,468
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Waco
$28,819
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Waco
$63,758
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Waco
4.4%
Waco +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Waco
24.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
Waco
28.6%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $51,468 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $28,819 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $63,758 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.4% | Waco + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 24.0% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 28.6% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Waco
$196,465
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
Waco
48.9%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $196,465 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 48.9% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Waco
442
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
Waco
2339
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 442 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 2339 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
Waco
36.8%
Waco +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Waco
13.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
Waco
20.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Waco
20.4%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Waco
16.2%
Waco +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
Waco
15.1%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 36.8% | Waco + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.0% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 20.4% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 20.4% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.2% | Waco + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 15.1% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Waco
66.6°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Waco
36.4 in
Waco +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 66.6°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 36.4 in | Waco + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Waco
9.2 µg/m³
Waco +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Waco
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 9.2 µg/m³ | Waco + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
Waco
19.7 min
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Waco, TX | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 19.7 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, Springfield is safer with a violent crime rate of 344 per 100,000 residents, compared to 442 in Waco. Waco has a lower unemployment rate at 4.4%, and Waco has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Waco scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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