Springfield IL vs Wilmington NC — 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, NC
North Carolina · Population: 250,887
- Median HH Income$57,673
- Median Home Price$419,326
- Unemployment5.9%
- Bachelor's+37.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
113,714
Wilmington
250,887
Wilmington +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Wilmington
35.6
Wilmington +
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Wilmington
48.7%
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Wilmington
32.4%
Wilmington +
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Wilmington
2.3%
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Wilmington
17.9%
Wilmington +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Wilmington
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 250,887 | Wilmington + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 35.6 | Wilmington + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| White | 70.5% | 48.7% | Springfield + |
| Black | 19.8% | 32.4% | Wilmington + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 2.3% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 17.9% | Wilmington + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Wilmington
$57,673
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Wilmington
$35,074
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Wilmington
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Wilmington
5.9%
Wilmington +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Wilmington
17.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Wilmington
37.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $57,673 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $35,074 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 5.9% | Wilmington + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 17.9% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 37.2% | Wilmington + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Wilmington
$419,326
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
Wilmington
54.6%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $419,326 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 54.6% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Wilmington
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
Wilmington
1999
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 398 | Springfield + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1999 | Springfield + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
Wilmington
31.9%
Wilmington +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Wilmington
10.7%
Wilmington +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
Wilmington
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Wilmington
9.6%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Wilmington
17.5%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Wilmington
12.2%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 31.9% | Wilmington + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 10.7% | Wilmington + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.4% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 9.6% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.5% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 12.2% | Wilmington + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Wilmington
63.8°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
Wilmington
58.4 in
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.8°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 58.4 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Wilmington
8.7 µg/m³
Wilmington +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Wilmington
75.0%
Wilmington +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Wilmington + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Wilmington + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
Wilmington
23.2 min
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Wilmington, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 23.2 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 398 in Wilmington. Wilmington has a lower unemployment rate at 5.9%, and Wilmington has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Wilmington scores better with a lower obesity rate of 31.9%.
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