Champaign vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Champaign
Springfield
The Verdict
Living in Springfield costs 3.8% less than Champaign. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Champaign, you would need $72,222 in Springfield.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Champaign has the same purchasing power as $72,222 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $77,885 in Champaign.
Living in Champaign vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Champaign's housing index of 83 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $215,000 vs $162,000. The $53,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,444 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Champaign compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $175.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Champaign and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Champaign 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 106 in Champaign and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $424 in Champaign vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Champaign and 91 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 $56,100 in Champaign and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $69,259 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 $1,309/month to housing in Champaign vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Champaign, median rent of $1,100/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 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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