City Comparison

Casper vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Casper

Wyoming
95
Below Average
$265,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$70,200
Median Income

Springfield

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

The Verdict

21.8%

Springfield is 21.8% less expensive than Casper overall. A household earning $75,000 in Casper would need approximately $61,579 in Springfield to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Casper
52
Springfield
Groceries
96
Casper
98
Springfield
Utilities
96
Casper
98
Springfield
Transportation
85
Casper
114
Springfield
Healthcare
103
Casper
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Casper has the same purchasing power as $61,579 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $91,346 in Casper.

Living in Casper vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Casper's housing index of 82 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $265,000 vs $162,000. The $103,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,696 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Casper compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $75.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Casper and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Casper vs $466/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 96 in Casper and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Casper vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Casper and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $70,200 in Casper and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,895 and $83,974 respectively. Springfield residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,638/month to housing in Casper vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Casper, median rent of $1,000/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 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 21.8% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Casper has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $61,579 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Casper's housing index is 82 with median homes at $265,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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