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
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