Living in Springfield, IL
Springfield is the 283rd-largest city in the US, home to about 113,000 people in 2025 and the capital of Illinois. Its population has been roughly flat since 2020. Prices across the metro area run below the national average (92.7 on an index where the US is 100).
- Population, 2025
- 112,989-1.4% since 2020
- Median home value
- $162,1002.5 years of median income
- Median rent
- $975/morent plus utilities
- Household income
- $66,064median, per year
- Price level
- 92.7US average = 100
- January / July highs
- 36° / 87°lows 20° / 66°
- Average commute
- 17 min15% work from home
- State income tax
- 4.95%top rate, flat
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County: Sangamon County
Time zone: Central Time (UTC-6, UTC-5 in summer)
Elevation: about 597 ft
Metro area: Springfield, IL
Cost of living in Springfield
The median home in Springfield is worth $162,100 and the median household earns $66,064 a year, so a typical home costs about 2.5 years of income. Median gross rent (rent plus utilities) is $975 a month, about 18% of the median household's income. BEA puts overall prices in the Springfield, IL metro area at 92.7, with housing at 71.6 and goods at 93.6 (US = 100). In practice, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced place stretches about as far as $69,600 here. Illinois taxes wages at a top rate of 4.95% (a flat rate). The average combined state and local sales tax in Illinois is 8.98%.
What would my salary be worth in Springfield?
Springfield weather
Average highs run from 36°F in January to 87°F in July, and January nights average 20°F. It gets 38 inches of rain and melted snow a year and 22 inches of snow. Nights drop below freezing about 111 times a year. The most comfortable months are April and August to October.
Month-by-month weather and the best time to visit Springfield
People and work
The median resident is 41.0 years old, and 36% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 64% of households own their home. The average one-way commute is 17 minutes; 14% of workers work from home.
- Median age
- 41.0474th youngest of 546
- Bachelor's or higher
- 36%adults 25+
- Homeowners
- 64%of households
- People per sq mile
- 1,84461.3 sq mi of land
- Take transit to work
- 1%2% walk, 0.5% bike
- Unemployment
- 6.8%2020-2024 average
- Poverty rate
- 16.8%of residents
- Typical home built
- 1972median year
Who moves to Springfield, and where people go
From farther away, newcomers most often come from Chicago (Cook County), Joliet (Will County) and Naperville (DuPage County). People who leave for somewhere more than 100 miles away most often head to Chicago (Cook County), Phoenix (Maricopa County) and Naperville (DuPage County). See the map and full lists
IRS county-to-county migration, 2022 to 2023 tax years. Where Americans are moving.
Natural hazards, home prices and air quality
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate
FEMA rating for Sangamon County, scored against every US county. Biggest risks: tornado, winter weather, hail, strong wind.
Home prices
+5.1% in a year
Up 42% over five years. FHFA house price index for the Springfield, IL area, 2026 Q2.
Air quality, 2025
70% good days
3 days unhealthy at least for sensitive groups. EPA daily air quality index for the Springfield, IL area (365 days measured).
FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025) combines expected losses from 18 natural hazards with how vulnerable and resilient the community is. It describes the county, not your street; check flood maps for a specific address at FEMA's Flood Map Service Center.
Parks and sights near Springfield
The best-known parks, museums, zoos and landmarks within about 35 miles. Tap Been or Want to add them to your city passport.
- University of Illinois Springfield in Springfield
- Millikin University 34 miles
- Illinois College 34 miles
Places from Wikidata (CC0), linked to each one's official site or Wikipedia article. Check hours and fees before you go.
Airports near Springfield
| Airport | Distance | Passengers boarding in 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport SPI | 7 mi | 51,784 |
| Decatur Airport DEC | 40 mi | 12,747 |
| Central Illinois Regional Airport BMI | 62 mi | 161,971 |
| St. Louis Lambert International Airport STL | 80 mi | 7,807,362 |
Federal Aviation Administration, calendar year 2024 passenger boardings (enplanements) at commercial service airports. Straight-line distance.
Colleges in and near Springfield
| College | Distance | Undergrads | Net price a year | Graduate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois Springfield | in town | 2,263 | $7,528 | 53% |
US Department of Education College Scorecard, October 2026 release. Net price is the average yearly cost after grants for students who get federal aid. Graduate: share finishing within 150% of normal time.
Frost dates and fall color in Springfield
Half the years, the last spring night at 32°F comes before April 14, so plant tender crops after that date or wait a week or two to be safer. Fall color depends on the trees, but the US Department of Agriculture says the brightest leaves come with warm, sunny days and cool nights, and that frost ruins vivid color. Here, cool 36°F nights usually start around October 9 and the first frost comes around October 20.
NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for Springfield Capital Airport, IL, median (50%) dates. All frost dates for Springfield.
Wildfire smoke in Springfield
From 2021 through 2025, a smoke plume covered Springfield on about 142 days a year, including about 33 days of medium or heavy smoke. Smoke high overhead can turn sunsets red without reaching the ground, so check the air quality reading before you change plans.
NOAA Hazard Mapping System smoke analysis, daily satellite plumes over the city center, 2021 to 2025. Smoke days for every city.
Home internet in Springfield
Census Bureau American Community Survey 2020-2024, table B28002, 51,040 households. Compare every city.
Public schools in Springfield
Downtown Springfield is in this district. Neighborhoods farther out may belong to a different one, so check the address with the district before you buy or rent.
| District | Grades | Students | Schools | Students per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield School District 186 | Pre-K to 12 | 13,014 | 34 | 13.0 |
Other districts within 10 miles: Ball-Chatham Community Unit School District 5 (4,516 students), Rochester Community Unit School District 3A (2,012 students), Williamsville Community Unit School District 15 (1,458 students), Pleasant Plains Community Unit School District 8 (1,294 students), Riverton Community Unit School District 14 (1,219 students), Auburn Community Unit School District 10 (1,055 students).
National Center for Education Statistics, school district boundaries and characteristics, 2024-25 school year.
Springfield's twin cities
Cities at least 250 miles away with the closest match to Springfield's weather month by month and its costs (price level, home values and rent).
- Topeka, KS81% matchCompare
- Dayton, OH80% matchCompare
- Kansas City, KS80% matchCompare
- Independence, MO80% matchCompare
Find a twin that is cheaper, warmer or cooler
Stargazing near Springfield
The nearest certified International Dark Sky Places:
Designations by DarkSky International as recorded in Wikidata (CC0). All dark sky places.
Ski resorts near Springfield
- Hidden Valley Ski Area 101 miles
- Ski Snowstar 130 miles
Straight-line distance. All ski resorts.
Pros and cons of living in Springfield
Data points come from the official sources on this page. Points marked Local come from people who live here, are read by a person before they appear, and are ranked by readers.
Pros
- Data Homes are affordable for locals: the median home costs 2.5 years of median household income, lower than in three quarters of the cities we cover.
- Data Everyday prices in the metro run 7% below the US average (BEA).
- Data Commutes are short: 17 minutes each way on average.
Cons
- Nothing stands out in the data. Locals, what should newcomers know?
Springfield report card from locals
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Springfield through locals' eyes
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Cities near Springfield
| City | Distance | Population | Home value | Price level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomington, IL | 61 mi | 78,804 | $203,300 | 93.5 | Compare |
| Peoria, IL | 68 mi | 110,920 | $156,200 | 91.2 | Compare |
| Champaign, IL | 77 mi | 91,195 | $210,900 | 92.7 | Compare |
| St. Louis, MO | 84 mi | 278,144 | $197,500 | 95.1 | Compare |
| O'Fallon, MO | 88 mi | 96,101 | $326,200 | 95.1 | Compare |
| Davenport, IA | 136 mi | 100,358 | $166,400 | 89.1 | Compare |
Straight-line distance between city centers.
Cities with a similar profile
Closest match on climate, price level, size, income and median age, outside the immediate area.
Compare Springfield with another city
Frequently asked questions
Is Springfield a good place to live?
It depends on what you need. The numbers show prices below the national average, homes that cost under four years of median income, short commutes. Compare Springfield side by side with another city to see how it stacks up for you.
What is the population of Springfield?
The Census Bureau estimates Springfield had 112,989 residents on July 1, 2025, compared with 114,570 in April 2020 (-1.4%).
How much do you need to earn to live in Springfield?
Using BEA price levels, a $75,000 salary in an average-priced US city buys about the same as $69,600 in the Springfield area. The median household here earns $66,064.
When is the best time to visit Springfield?
By the 1991-2020 climate normals, April and August to October are the most comfortable months. July averages 87°F and January 36°F for daytime highs.
What county is Springfield in?
Springfield is in Sangamon County, Illinois. Source: Census Bureau 2020 geography.
What time zone is Springfield in?
Springfield is on Central Time (UTC-6, or UTC-5 during daylight saving time from March to November).
What is the elevation of Springfield?
About 597 feet above sea level at the city center. Elevation varies across the city.
Does Illinois have a state income tax?
Yes. Illinois has a flat income tax with a top rate of 4.95% for 2026. Some cities add a local income tax, which is not included here.
Sources
Population: Census Bureau Vintage 2025 estimates (July 1, 2025). Income, housing, education and commuting: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for the city of Springfield. Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 for the Springfield, IL metro area. Weather: NOAA 1991-2020 normals, Springfield Capital Airport, IL station. Taxes: Tax Foundation 2026. How we get our numbers.