Springfield IL vs Wilmington DE — 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%
Wilmington, DE
Delaware · Population: 71,124
- Median HH Income$55,269
- Median Home Price$327,117
- Unemployment7.6%
- Bachelor's+33.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
113,714
Springfield +
Wilmington
71,124
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Wilmington
37.0
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Wilmington
8.3%
Wilmington +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Wilmington
32.4%
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Wilmington
52.3%
Wilmington +
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Wilmington
1.6%
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Wilmington
11.8%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 71,124 | Springfield + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 37.0 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 8.3% | Wilmington + |
| White | 70.5% | 32.4% | Springfield + |
| Black | 19.8% | 52.3% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.6% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 11.8% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Wilmington
$55,269
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Wilmington
$38,786
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Wilmington
$64,087
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Springfield +
Wilmington
7.6%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Wilmington
23.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
Wilmington
33.1%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $55,269 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $38,786 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $64,087 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 7.6% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 23.2% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 33.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Wilmington
$327,117
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
Wilmington
46.0%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $327,117 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 46.0% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Wilmington
394
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
Wilmington
1991
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 394 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1991 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
Wilmington
41.0%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Wilmington
16.0%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
Wilmington
18.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Wilmington
12.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Wilmington
13.5%
Wilmington +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Springfield +
Wilmington
16.4%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 41.0% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 16.0% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 18.4% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 13.5% | Wilmington + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 16.4% | Springfield + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Wilmington
54.4°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
Wilmington
49.3 in
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 54.4°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 49.3 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.8 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
Wilmington
25.0 min
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, DE | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 25.0 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 394 in Wilmington. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 6.7%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.0%.
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