Springfield IL vs Worcester MA — 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%
Worcester, MA
Massachusetts · Population: 205,501
- Median HH Income$67,544
- Median Home Price$435,532
- Unemployment6.4%
- Bachelor's+34.1%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
113,714
Worcester
205,501
Worcester +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
Worcester
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
40.7
Worcester
34.1
Worcester +
Foreign Born
Springfield
4.5%
Worcester
23.2%
Worcester +
White
Springfield
70.5%
Springfield +
Worcester
58.0%
Black
Springfield
19.8%
Springfield +
Worcester
12.1%
Asian
Springfield
2.9%
Worcester
6.9%
Worcester +
Hispanic
Springfield
3.4%
Worcester
24.9%
Worcester +
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
Worcester
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 113,714 | 205,501 | Worcester + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 40.7 | 34.1 | Worcester + |
| Foreign Born | 4.5% | 23.2% | Worcester + |
| White | 70.5% | 58.0% | Springfield + |
| Black | 19.8% | 12.1% | Springfield + |
| Asian | 2.9% | 6.9% | Worcester + |
| Hispanic | 3.4% | 24.9% | Worcester + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$65,537
Worcester
$67,544
Worcester +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$41,110
Springfield +
Worcester
$35,825
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$68,110
Worcester
$85,405
Worcester +
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
6.7%
Worcester
6.4%
Worcester +
Poverty Rate
Springfield
16.5%
Springfield +
Worcester
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
35.1%
Springfield +
Worcester
34.1%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $65,537 | $67,544 | Worcester + |
| Per Capita Income | $41,110 | $35,825 | Springfield + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $68,110 | $85,405 | Worcester + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.7% | 6.4% | Worcester + |
| Poverty Rate | 16.5% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.1% | 34.1% | Springfield + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$168,312
Springfield +
Worcester
$435,532
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
63.4%
Springfield +
Worcester
42.4%
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $168,312 | $435,532 | Springfield + |
| Homeownership Rate | 63.4% | 42.4% | Springfield + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
344
Worcester
326
Worcester +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
1842
Worcester
1086
Worcester +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 344 | 326 | Worcester + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1842 | 1086 | Worcester + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
41.1%
Worcester
35.3%
Worcester +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
12.9%
Worcester
11.4%
Worcester +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
17.3%
Springfield +
Worcester
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
8.2%
Springfield +
Worcester
8.7%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
16.7%
Springfield +
Worcester
17.1%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
14.7%
Worcester
14.5%
Worcester +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 41.1% | 35.3% | Worcester + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 12.9% | 11.4% | Worcester + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 17.3% | 19.9% | Springfield + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 8.2% | 8.7% | Springfield + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 17.1% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 14.7% | 14.5% | Worcester + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
N/A
Worcester
47.9°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
37.7 in
Springfield +
Worcester
48.1 in
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 47.9°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 37.7 in | 48.1 in | Springfield + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.4 µg/m³
Worcester
7.2 µg/m³
Worcester +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
Worcester
75.0%
Worcester +
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.4 µg/m³ | 7.2 µg/m³ | Worcester + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 75.0% | Worcester + |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.4 min
Springfield +
Worcester
27.3 min
| Metric | Springfield, IL | Worcester, MA | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.4 min | 27.3 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
Worcester leads in median household income at $67,544, while springfield offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $168,312. On public safety, Worcester is safer with a violent crime rate of 326 per 100,000 residents, compared to 344 in Springfield. Worcester has a lower unemployment rate at 6.4%, and Worcester has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 7.2 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Worcester scores better with a lower obesity rate of 35.3%.
Compare More Cities
New York, NY vs Springfield, ILLos Angeles, CA vs Springfield, ILChicago, IL vs Springfield, ILHouston, TX vs Springfield, ILPhoenix, AZ vs Springfield, ILPhiladelphia, PA vs Springfield, IL