Springfield IL vs West Palm Beach 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%
West Palm Beach, FL
Florida · Population: 119,508
- Median HH Income$69,261
- Median Home Price$399,650
- Unemployment5.4%
- Bachelor's+37.6%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
113,714
West Palm Beach
119,508
West Palm Beach +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
West Palm Beach
40.2
West Palm Beach +
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
West Palm Beach
27.2%
West Palm Beach +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
44.0%
Black
Springfield
19.8%
West Palm Beach
31.5%
West Palm Beach +
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
2.5%
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
West Palm Beach
24.6%
West Palm Beach +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
West Palm Beach
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 119,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 40.2 | West Palm Beach + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 27.2% | West Palm Beach + |
| White | 70.5% | 44.0% | Springfield + |
| Black | 19.8% | 31.5% | West Palm Beach + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.5% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 24.6% | West Palm Beach + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
West Palm Beach
$69,261
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
West Palm Beach
$44,508
West Palm Beach +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
$65,328
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
West Palm Beach
5.4%
West Palm Beach +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
West Palm Beach
14.8%
West Palm Beach +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
West Palm Beach
37.6%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $69,261 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $44,508 | West Palm Beach + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $65,328 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 14.8% | West Palm Beach + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 37.6% | West Palm Beach + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
$399,650
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
50.2%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $399,650 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 50.2% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
West Palm Beach
324
West Palm Beach +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
West Palm Beach
1453
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 324 | West Palm Beach + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1453 | West Palm Beach + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
West Palm Beach
29.1%
West Palm Beach +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
13.7%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
West Palm Beach
16.4%
West Palm Beach +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
16.9%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
West Palm Beach
13.3%
West Palm Beach +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
West Palm Beach
13.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 29.1% | West Palm Beach + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.7% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 16.4% | West Palm Beach + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 16.9% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.3% | West Palm Beach + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 13.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
West Palm Beach
75.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
62.3 in
| Metric | Springfield, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 75.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 62.3 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
West Palm Beach
7.2 µg/m³
West Palm Beach +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
West Palm Beach
75.0%
West Palm Beach +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | West Palm Beach + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | West Palm Beach + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
West Palm Beach
25.0 min
| Metric | Springfield, IL | West Palm Beach, FL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 25.0 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
West Palm Beach leads in median household income at $69,261, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, West Palm Beach is safer with a violent crime rate of 324 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. West Palm Beach has a lower unemployment rate at 5.4%, and West Palm Beach has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, West Palm Beach scores better with a lower obesity rate of 29.1%.
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