Albuquerque vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Albuquerque
Springfield
The Verdict
Albuquerque is 14.0% less expensive than Springfield overall. A household earning $75,000 in Albuquerque would need approximately $87,228 in Springfield to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Albuquerque has the same purchasing power as $87,228 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $64,486 in Albuquerque.
Living in Albuquerque vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Albuquerque's housing index of 80 is lower Springfield's 116, translating to median home prices of $260,000 vs $378,000. The $118,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,668 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Albuquerque compared to $1,150/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 97 in Albuquerque and 101 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Albuquerque vs $480/month in Springfield. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 95 in Albuquerque and 96 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Albuquerque vs $384 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 94 in Albuquerque and 102 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $52,911 in Albuquerque and $57,600 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,512 and $53,832 respectively. Albuquerque residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,235/month to housing in Albuquerque vs $1,344/month in Springfield. In Albuquerque, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 36 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases