Boise vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Boise
Springfield
The Verdict
Springfield is 26.2% less expensive than Boise overall. A household earning $75,000 in Boise would need approximately $59,434 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 Boise has the same purchasing power as $59,434 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $94,643 in Boise.
Living in Boise vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Boise's housing index of 118 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $420,000 vs $225,000. The $195,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,672 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Boise compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 99 in Boise and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Boise vs $447/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 89 in Boise and 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $356 in Boise vs $316 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 98 in Boise and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 18-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $60,818 in Boise and $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,375 and $54,762 respectively. Boise residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,419/month to housing in Boise vs $1,073/month in Springfield. In Boise, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases