True Cost of Renting in Springfield, IL

Springfield is Illinois's state capital, home to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, the state government complex, and a stable employment base anchored by state agencies and Memorial Health. Rents are low by national standards — a 1BR under $1,000 is the norm — making it an excellent market for state employees, educators, and healthcare workers managing student debt.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Lincoln District / Old State Capitol Area

Studio:
$650/mo
1 Bed:
$850/mo
2 Bed:
$1,200/mo

Historic downtown near the State Capitol and Abraham Lincoln historic sites; mix of renovated Victorian apartments and newer buildings. Ameren Illinois electric. Walking distance to state government employment. Best walkability in Springfield.

West Side

1 Bed:
$800/mo
2 Bed:
$1,100/mo

Residential area along Wabash Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard; apartment complexes and single-family rentals. SIU School of Medicine nearby. Car-dependent. Better-maintained rental stock than Near East Side at similar price points.

Southeast Springfield

1 Bed:
$750/mo
2 Bed:
$1,000/mo

Affordable apartment corridor near Sangamon County Fairgrounds; older complexes at lowest prices in the metro. LLCC (Lincoln Land Community College) proximity. Some complexes show deferred maintenance — inspect carefully before signing.

Utility Providers

Electric
Ameren Illinois (CIPS)
Water
City of Springfield Water Division
Internet
Comcast Xfinity, AT&T Internet, Mediacom

Commute & Transportation

Springfield is 200 miles south of Chicago on I-55. Amtrak's Lincoln Service (Chicago–St Louis corridor) stops at the historic downtown station, with 3–4 trains daily to Chicago (3 hours) and St Louis (1.5 hours). I-72 runs east-west through the city, connecting to Champaign-Urbana 90 miles east. The major employment anchor is the state government complex — thousands of state agency offices are within a 2-mile radius of the Capitol. Memorial Health and Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS) are the major healthcare employers. SMTD (Springfield Mass Transit District) provides bus service.

Rental Market Overview

Springfield is one of Illinois's most affordable cities for renters, with 1BR apartments commonly available at $750–900/month. The state government employment base provides stability but not high wages, which keeps rental demand steady without pushing prices up. Ameren Illinois electric rates are slightly higher than ComEd in Chicago but the overall cost of living is dramatically lower. Winter heating costs in older Springfield apartment stock can be significant — natural gas from Ameren is the primary heat source, and January/February gas bills can run $150–250 in drafty units. The Amtrak connection to Chicago is a practical option for occasional city trips without a car.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Springfield

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Springfield: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Springfield?
One-bedroom apartments in Springfield range from $750/month in Southeast Springfield to $850/month in Lincoln District / Old State Capitol Area. Two-bedroom units range from $1,000 to $1,200/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Springfield?
In Springfield, electricity is provided by Ameren Illinois (CIPS), water by City of Springfield Water Division, and common internet providers include Comcast Xfinity, AT&T Internet, Mediacom. Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within Springfield.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Springfield?
Southeast Springfield is the most affordable of the 3 Springfield neighborhoods covered here, at $750/month for a one-bedroom — $100 less than Lincoln District / Old State Capitol Area, roughly a 12% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Springfield expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Springfield runs about $800/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. Springfield is one of Illinois's most affordable cities for renters, with 1BR apartments commonly available at $750–900/month. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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