About Springfield
Springfield is the capital city of Illinois, with a population of more than 110,000. The sixth largest city in Illinois, Springfield is more than just the home of Abraham Lincoln. It’s a culturally and ethnically diverse, mid-sized American city with a friendly, unpretentious atmosphere.
Springfield offers the comforts and convenience of Midwest living, with the amenities and attractions of larger cities, such as St. Louis and Chicago, within easy reach. There are five daily trains traveling to both cities. If you prefer to drive, it’s just three hours (190 miles) to Chicago and 90 minutes (90 miles) to St. Louis.
![Springfield Illinois downtown aerial](/sites/default/files/styles/triangle_image_2x/public/2021-08/OSC%20Downtown_Aerial.jpg?h=57024e64&itok=0STMpWX3)
Cost of living
The cost of living is one of the many advantages to relocating to Springfield. When compared to larger metropolitan areas in the region, necessities like groceries, housing and utilities can be as much as 50 percent less.
![Springfield living](/sites/default/files/styles/triangle_image_2x/public/2021-06/Springfieldcost.jpg?h=265e640d&itok=mItLHPqd)
![enos_school_booster_seat_education](/sites/default/files/2022-03/Think%20First%20-%20Car%20Seat%EF%80%A2Helmet%20Safety%20-%200A4A9986.jpg)
Education
Springfield has a strong public school system and a variety of private schooling options. You will also find many opportunities for continuing education via secondary and higher education learning institutions. Two of them are Lincoln Land Community College and the University of Illinois Springfield.
![SIU Medicine's Medical Community in Springfield, Illinois](/sites/default/files/styles/triangle_image_2x/public/2024-08/DJI_0163.00_00_07_23.Still002.jpg?h=e75ab034&itok=iQMjzVEA)
Medical community
As a medical community, Springfield is the hub of care for central and southern Illinois. It is also a center for education, research and innovation excellence. This is possible through partnerships between Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, SIU Medicine, Memorial Health and HSHS St. John’s Hospital. As a professional in Mid-Illinois Medical District, you can practice cutting-edge health care and help shape the future of healing.
Arts, culture and entertainment
Springfield is rich in arts, culture and history. Tour one of the many art galleries and museums. Catch a live local band or enjoy an evening with the symphony or ballet company.
![Springfield Illinois Farmer's Market](/sites/default/files/styles/triangle_image_2x/public/2024-08/Community%20-%20OMCE7069.jpg?h=19d0d382&itok=M9fyT_tg)
Recreation
Among its many recreational amenities, Springfield has 32 parks, a 4,200-acre lake and miles of running, walking and biking trails. For golfers there are 10 area golf courses, including The Rail ─ a Golf Digest Magazine 4-star rated course.
![SIU Medicne 5k Charity run](/sites/default/files/styles/triangle_image_2x/public/2024-08/5K%20Charity%20Run%202023%20-%20104.jpg?h=6037679f&itok=_phmVIOJ)
![Downtown Springfield Illinois](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2021-08/1.jpg?h=71976bb4&itok=GQT9wybK)
![Downtown Springfield Illinois](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2021-08/12.jpg?h=71976bb4&itok=AQlt4aHw)
![Downtown Springfield Illinois](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2021-08/20.jpg?h=71976bb4&itok=Yus8g7zg)
![Governor Mansion Springfield Illinois](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2021-08/Gov%20Mansion.jpg?h=3cd06fc8&itok=s8qj6cQH)
![IL State Capitol Rotundra](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2021-08/IL%20State%20Capitol_RotundaArea.jpg?h=94c23d23&itok=X_vqP6i1)
![Presidential Half Marathon Springfield Illinois](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2021-08/Presidential%20Half%20Marathon_Old%20IL%20State%20Capitol.jpg?h=c71d0c67&itok=ZhleIJQL)
![Route 66 Car Show Springfield Illinois](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2021-08/Rte66%20CarShow_Cars-Capitol_jessiedecker.jpg?h=108ffa7b&itok=AhCyf0xa)
![Union Station Springfield Illinois](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2021-08/Spfld%20Union%20Station.jpg?h=51a72048&itok=-Ryo7P4t)
![Old State Capitol Springfield Illinois](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2021-08/TwoCapitols.jpg?h=7b59323d&itok=0OQFiPM-)
![SIU School of Medicine](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2022-02/_MG_0102.jpg?h=445a1664&itok=fdoUqgF7)
SIU School of Medicine
![SIU School of Medicine](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2022-02/_MG_7197.jpg?h=13c72c7a&itok=elqkilig)
SIU School of Medicine campus
![SIU School of Medicine](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2022-02/772-1.jpg?h=d2991da2&itok=VTgm_DQO)
SIU Campus Harbinger statue
![SIU Campus Harbinger statue](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2022-02/772-2.jpg?h=ff5bfb0e&itok=E8tWTN5N)
SIU Campus Harbinger statue
![Old State Capitol](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2022-02/CRW_5830.jpg?h=f3ae036c&itok=CbhGGpRE)
Old State Capitol
![Downtown Springfield](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2022-02/CRW_5831.jpg?h=1e40b39b&itok=Cvc0CHTu)
Downtown Springfield
![SIU Clinics](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2022-02/CRW_8029.jpg?h=4c1fc98e&itok=aKSL5icd)
SIU Clinics in Springfield
![Cemetery](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2022-02/IMG_5286.jpg?h=4c1fc98e&itok=BV6jSwD4)
Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield
![Lincoln Home](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2022-02/IMG_5294.jpg?h=4c1fc98e&itok=p-Yn1Rmx)
Lincoln's home in Springfield
![Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2022-02/L1010574.jpg?h=ce5e1a1e&itok=ADpvEhWv)
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in downtown Springfield
![Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum](https://www.siumed.edu/sites/default/files/styles/landscape_450/public/2022-02/L1010586.jpg?h=d5d04e3b&itok=MHPrpNnx)
Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in downtown Springfield