City Comparison

Bellevue vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Bellevue

Washington
158
Very Expensive
$1.3M
Median Home
$2,525/mo
Median Rent
$169,200
Median Income

Springfield

Illinois
78
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

102.6%

Living in Springfield costs 102.6% less than Bellevue. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Bellevue, you would need $37,025 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
249
Bellevue
52
Springfield
Groceries
111
Bellevue
98
Springfield
Utilities
100
Bellevue
98
Springfield
Transportation
134
Bellevue
114
Springfield
Healthcare
120
Bellevue
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has the same purchasing power as $37,025 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $151,923 in Bellevue.

Living in Bellevue vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Bellevue's housing index of 249 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $1.3M vs $162,000. The $1.1M difference in home prices means roughly $74,040 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,525/mo in Bellevue compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $1,600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 111 in Bellevue and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $527/month in Bellevue vs $466/month in Springfield. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $732/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 100 in Bellevue and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $400 in Bellevue vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 120 in Bellevue and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 29-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $169,200 in Bellevue and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $107,089 and $83,974 respectively. Bellevue residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $3,948/month to housing in Bellevue vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Bellevue, median rent of $2,525/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 197 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 102.6% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Bellevue has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $37,025 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Bellevue's housing index is 249 with median homes at $1.3M, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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