Springfield, Illinois and Springfield, Oregon: What are the Differences?

The contiguous United States features many exciting cities, climate zones, tourist attractions, and more. With hundreds of years of history behind it, every city seemingly has a story that sets it apart from others, even within the same state. The abundance of these cities has flourished so much in the last few centuries that a few repeated cities are to be expected, including the city of Springfield.

If you hear the name “Springfield,” which state do you think of? Do you think of the humidity of the Illinois-based town with snowy winters and Abraham Lincoln’s former home? Do you think about the city made famous by an animated television show? While these cities might share the same name, they are over 2,000 miles apart, putting them in different environments with various important wildlife and plants.

With the many differences between these two cities, finding their similarities is just as exciting. Let’s discuss the differences between the Illinois and Oregon cities.

Comparing Springfield (IL) vs. Springfield (OR)

Key Differences of Springfield (IL) vs. Springfield (OR)

Springfield (IL) vs. Springfield (OR): Population

One of the easiest ways to differentiate between these two Springfield locations is with their population. While the 2023 population of Oregon is over 62,000, the Illinois city is almost double the same population with over 111,000 people.

With a relatively even ratio of males to females, the average age of residents in both cities is 25-34. In Illinois, the number of family households with children is double that in Oregon’s Springfield.

Springfield (IL) vs. Springfield (OR): Local Weather And Environment

If you take a journey to Illinois, you’ll find that Springfield city features a lengthy and humid summer with temperatures of 79° to 93° F. These summers are just one example of the varied climate of the state, leading to cold winters. Illinois gets about 36 inches of snow in the north during colder weather and about 32 inches of rain throughout the year.

In Oregon, you generally won’t experience any humidity. Their summers are mildly warm and dry, saving the wet weather for winter. Much of the colder months come with a smattering of clouds, causing a dark overcast towards the end of the year.

Springfield (IL) vs. Springfield (OR): Wildlife

Whether you go to Illinois or Oregon, the bison is the biggest mammal to watch out for. As the largest North American mammal, these beasts sometimes weigh up to 2,000 feet tall with 6 feet of height, standing above many adults. Despite their bulk, they move quickly, running 35-40 miles per hour. Every state has herds of bison, so sharing this mammal between these two cities is unsurprising.

However, that’s where the similarities end. The wildlife in these two locations is based on the local environment. Despite having dry summers, the Oregon city is near the state’s mountains, which means that you can see black bears, coyotes, otters, wolves, and mountain lions. If you have the humid and forested areas of Illinois, much of the common wildlife consists of rodents like deer mice or raccoons. However, there have been several mountain lion sightings on occasion as well.

Springfield (IL) vs. Springfield (OR): Plant Life

In this Illinois city, the most common plants you’ll see include the scarlet sage. While some areas in Oregon have a suitable climate for this plant, they aren’t in Springfield. Pickerel rush, a blue-violet summer flour, works perfectly with the humid environment, making it difficult to grow during the dry months of Oregon’s summer. Brown’s honeysuckle is another common plant, decorating many chain-link fences.

In Oregon’s Springfield, plant life has to accommodate the wet winter weather and dry summers, so red alder, western dogwood, and common snowberry are all common. The common snowberry grows wild but is also included in many home landscapes and gardens. The western dogwood is primarily found in Oregon and other western states.

Springfield (IL) vs. Springfield (OR): Tourist Attractions

If there is one thing that the Illinois city is famous for, it is Abraham Lincoln. In Springfield, you can visit the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, followed by a trip to the historical site of the late President’s home. If you want a chance to take a tour, you have to arrive no less than an hour before closing because ticket sales stop at 4:00 pm.

While one of the Oregon city’s most popular locations to visit is the Shoppes at Gateway, many travelers believe that the best spot is a mural of the television show The Simpsons. It is featured in many tours, and it is free to get a glimpse (and take a photo).

Springfield (IL) vs. Springfield (OR): Cost Of Housing

When choosing a home in either city, you are better off buying in the bigger town with the drastically lower cost of a home. In Illinois-based Springfield, the price of a home is under $200,000, making home purchases more realistic for a more considerable range of incomes. With an average salary of $63,000 and up in this city, affording a home isn’t quite as far away.

Even with the smaller population of Oregon’s city, the cost to purchase a home is nearly double, at over $400,000, the median price of a sold home. These numbers are incredibly high for the city, considering that the average salary starts at $44,000 a year for jobs in Springfield, OR.

Springfield (IL) vs. Springfield (OR): Crime Rates

The crime rates in these two cities are another significant difference they have. While property crime for both towns is almost twice the national average, the Illinois city is much more dangerous. It features twice the violent crime of its Oregon-based counterpart, making it much safer. However, one of the reasons for the lower crime rate (which is slightly under the national average) could be the significant difference in population despite the lower salary.

Springfield (IL) vs. Springfield (OR): Age

Since these two cities are in different parts of the country, their founding happened at different times in the United States. The Illinois-based city was founded on April 10, 1821, making it over 200 years old. However, the United States incorporated the Oregon city in 1885, making it over 60 years younger than Springfield, IL. Still, with over a century of history for each city, taking a journey through their streets brings you many long-standing monuments.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © SevenMaps/Shutterstock.com