Is Springfield cheaper than Dallas?

Yes. Typical rent in Springfield is $975 a month versus $1,472 in Dallas — 34% cheaper. Median household income is $66,064 in Springfield compared with $70,518 in Dallas, so Dallas has the stronger local pay picture.

Which city is safer, Springfield or Dallas?

Springfield is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 86 versus 109 in Dallas — 21% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.

Which city has better schools, Springfield or Dallas?

School composites are close: A- in Springfield and A- in Dallas. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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City comparison

Springfield, IL vs Dallas, TX

Springfield, IL versus Dallas, TX is a real move, not a trivia matchup. This comparison uses the same 2026 neighborhood report data we publish on each city page — typical rent, median household income, crime indexes, school composites, and typical weather — so you can see which city actually fits how you live, work, and spend. Typical rents sit near $975 a month in Springfield and $1,472 in Dallas, and median household income lands at $66,064 versus $70,518. Open either city's full report when you want the block-level detail behind these headlines.

Springfield takes affordability, safety, and weather, while Dallas takes job market. The widest gap is typical weather, where Springfield leads by 94% — the kind of spread you feel in a monthly budget or a nightly walk, not just on a chart. Read the category rows as a filter: if cheaper housing would change your life more than a stronger job market, weight rent first. If you are moving with kids, weight schools and crime. If you picked a city after one good weekend, use the weather and income rows to test whether that weekend survives a full year.

Numbers below are citywide, not a guarantee about the street you will actually live on. Two ZIP codes in Springfield can feel further apart than Springfield and Dallas do on paper. Use this page to pick a city, then use the Springfield and Dallas reports to pick a neighborhood — and visit in the season you like least before you sign anything.

Full Springfield report Full Dallas report

Springfield, IL

Rent: $975/mo
Median income: $66,064
Crime index: 86
Schools: A-
Weather: 67°F

Dallas, TX

Rent: $1,472/mo
Median income: $70,518
Crime index: 109
Schools: A-
Weather: 91°F

Rent

34% cheaper

Springfield rent is 34% cheaper than Dallas

Springfield

Winner

$975/mo

Dallas

$1,472/mo

What this means for your life

Typical rent runs $975 a month in Springfield versus $1,472 in Dallas, so Springfield is 34% cheaper. That's roughly $497/month back in your pocket — $5,964/year. Over five years that's $29,820 you could redirect toward a down payment, travel, or investments. Housing is the bill you pay before groceries, childcare, or a social life, so that gap shows up in how often you eat out and how panicked a rent hike feels. If you already have a high-paying offer in Dallas, the extra rent can be rational. If you do not, Springfield is the easier city to land in without blowing up your budget.

Median income

7% higher

Dallas's median income is 7% higher than Springfield

Springfield

$66,064

Dallas

Winner

$70,518

What this means for your life

Median household income is $70,518 in Dallas versus $66,064 in Springfield, so typical pay runs 7% higher in Dallas — about $4,454 more household income a year. The income edge is modest. Treat it as extra negotiating context, not a reason to ignore rent, schools, or climate. Remote workers especially should not treat citywide pay as a personal raise if their employer will not localize salary.

Crime index

21% lower crime

Springfield's crime index is 21% lower than Dallas

Springfield

Winner

86 (100 = avg)

Dallas

109 (100 = avg)

What this means for your life

Springfield's crime index is 86 versus 109 in Dallas (100 = national average), so citywide crime runs 21% lower in Springfield. That gap is meaningful day-to-day — it affects whether you feel comfortable walking at night, leaving your car on the street, or letting kids play outside unsupervised. Indexes still compress a lot of reality: a calmer city has blocks you would skip, and a higher-crime city has streets that feel neighborly at 10 p.m. On the everyday test of walking from the car to the door, Springfield is the easier city. Dallas can still work if you pick the right pocket — just budget more diligence before you sign a lease.

School scores

Neck and neck

Springfield and Dallas are about even on school scores.

Springfield

A- · 84/100

Dallas

A- · 84/100

What this means for your life

School composites are effectively even (A- in Springfield, A- in Dallas). For families with kids this is a warning if you assumed one city was obviously better — at this range the campus, not the city name, decides it. Tour the zoned elementary you would actually use.

Typical weather

94% more comfortable

Springfield weather is 94% more comfortable than Dallas

Springfield

Winner

67°F typical

Dallas

91°F typical

What this means for your life

Springfield scores 94% more comfortable on this page's weather index, which rewards temperatures closer to a livable outdoor day. Typical temperatures sit around 67°F in Springfield and 91°F in Dallas. Springfield reads as mild, livable temperatures; Dallas reads as hot, long summers. Climate affects quality of life more than most people anticipate when planning a move. Consider how much time you spend outdoors and whether extreme heat or cold impacts your mood or productivity. Springfield is the better default if you want year-round outdoor access. Dallas can still be right if you love that climate on purpose — beach heat, dry heat, or a real winter — but you cannot return a city's weather.

Fit check

Who should choose Springfield

Outdoor enthusiasts and people who need year-round access to nature for their wellbeing

Springfield is the clearer landing pad if housing cost is what keeps you up at night. Typical rent is 34% cheaper here at about $975 a month. Choose Springfield if you are stretching a salary, starting over, or want slack for travel and debt instead of a flashier skyline.

Pick Springfield if you are an outdoor enthusiast or you need year-round access to nature for your wellbeing. Typical conditions (67°F) beat Dallas on this page's weather index by 94%. Dallas may pay more or cost less, but Springfield is the city where the forecast fights you less.

Springfield is the better fit for families with young children and retirees who prioritize peace of mind over urban energy. The crime index is 21% lower than Dallas (86 vs a 100 national average). That gap shows up in how freely you walk at night and how much attention you spend on the car and the deadbolt.

Open the Springfield report →

Fit check

Who should choose Dallas

Career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth

Dallas is the better city for career-focused movers who want salary upside and professional growth. Median household income is 7% higher here ($70,518). Start with Dallas if your next chapter is about building earnings, and make weather or nightlife a secondary screen.

Open the Dallas report →

Bottom line

Springfield vs Dallas, called

If weather is your priority, Springfield is the clear choice.

If the job market matters more to you, Dallas pulls ahead.

For most movers comparing these two cities, Springfield offers the better overall package.

Common questions

Springfield vs Dallas FAQ

Is Springfield cheaper than Dallas?: Yes. Typical rent in Springfield is $975 a month versus $1,472 in Dallas — 34% cheaper. Median household income is $66,064 in Springfield compared with $70,518 in Dallas, so Dallas has the stronger local pay picture.
Which city is safer, Springfield or Dallas?: Springfield is safer on this comparison. Its crime index is 86 versus 109 in Dallas — 21% lower (100 is the national average). Citywide indexes still hide neighborhood variation, so walk the block you would actually rent.
Which city has better schools, Springfield or Dallas?: School composites are close: A- in Springfield and A- in Dallas. Tour specific campuses rather than picking a city on the letter grade alone.

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