Springfield IL vs Winston-Salem 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%
Winston-Salem, NC
North Carolina · Population: 118,578
- Median HH Income$63,900
- Median Home Price$265,013
- Unemployment4.6%
- Bachelor's+45.8%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
113,714
Winston-Salem
118,578
Winston-Salem +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Winston-Salem
37.5
Winston-Salem +
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Winston-Salem
5.7%
Winston-Salem +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Winston-Salem
72.9%
Winston-Salem +
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
14.9%
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
1.3%
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Winston-Salem
8.9%
Winston-Salem +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 118,578 | Winston-Salem + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 37.5 | Winston-Salem + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 5.7% | Winston-Salem + |
| White | 70.5% | 72.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Black | 19.8% | 14.9% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 1.3% | Springfield + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 8.9% | Winston-Salem + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
$63,900
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Winston-Salem
$46,062
Winston-Salem +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
$59,120
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Winston-Salem
4.6%
Winston-Salem +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Winston-Salem
16.3%
Winston-Salem +
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Winston-Salem
45.8%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $63,900 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $46,062 | Winston-Salem + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $59,120 | Springfield + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 4.6% | Winston-Salem + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 16.3% | Winston-Salem + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 45.8% | Winston-Salem + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
$265,013
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
46.8%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $265,013 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 46.8% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
398
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
1999
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Winston-Salem, 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%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
42.7%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
13.1%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
17.4%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
12.8%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Winston-Salem
14.4%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 42.7% | Springfield + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 13.1% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 17.4% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 12.8% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.4% | Winston-Salem + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Winston-Salem
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Winston-Salem
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Winston-Salem
8.7 µg/m³
Winston-Salem +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Winston-Salem
75.0%
Winston-Salem +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 8.7 µg/m³ | Winston-Salem + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Winston-Salem + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
Winston-Salem
20.0 min
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Winston-Salem, NC | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 20.0 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 398 in Winston-Salem. Winston-Salem has a lower unemployment rate at 4.6%, and Winston-Salem has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.7 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Springfield scores better with a lower obesity rate of 41.1%.
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