Springfield, IL vs Elgin, IL
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Springfield, IL and Elgin, IL spend within 10.8% of each other per resident — $15,771 versus $14,229 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Springfield, IL holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 68/100 (grade B) against 58/100 (grade C) for Elgin, IL — a 10-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
On debt, Elgin, IL carries the lighter load at $617 per resident versus $2,441 for Springfield, IL. Their budgets diverge on where the largest per-resident dollars go: Springfield, IL leads with highways and roads at $1,079 per resident, while Elgin, IL leads with parks and recreation at $1,641.
They also fund themselves differently: intergovernmental transfers is the largest single revenue source in Springfield, IL at 17% of total revenue, whereas Elgin, IL relies most on charges and fees at 43%.
Summary
Springfield spends 10.8% more per capita than Elgin ($1,541/person difference). Springfield, IL has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (B, 68/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Sales Tax | $26 | $754 |
| Income Tax | $0 | $651 |
| Intergovernmental | $18,701 | $1,170 |
| Charges & Fees | $2,314 | $2,267 |
| Other | $1,274 | $1,754 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $0 | $222 |
| Highways & Roads | $1,079 | $116 |
| Education | $106 | $53 |
| Public Welfare | $1,275 | $718 |
| Health | $388 | $0 |
| Parks & Recreation | $325 | $1,641 |
| Housing | $0 | $4,472 |
| Utilities | $1,570 | $2,850 |
| Other | $11,028 | $4,159 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.