Arlington vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Arlington
Springfield
The Verdict
Arlington is 10.3% less expensive than Springfield overall. A household earning $75,000 in Arlington would need approximately $83,594 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 Arlington has the same purchasing power as $83,594 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $67,290 in Arlington.
Living in Arlington vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Arlington's housing index of 86 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: $1,300/mo in Arlington compared to $1,150/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 96 in Arlington and 101 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Arlington 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 99 in Arlington and 96 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Arlington vs $384 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 100 in Arlington 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 $60,138 in Arlington and $57,600 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,644 and $53,832 respectively. Arlington residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,403/month to housing in Arlington vs $1,344/month in Springfield. In Arlington, median rent of $1,300/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 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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