Durham vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Durham
Springfield
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 20.2%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Durham has equivalent purchasing power to $62,376 in Springfield.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Durham has the same purchasing power as $62,376 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $90,179 in Durham.
Living in Durham vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Durham's housing index of 104 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $225,000. The $115,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,476 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Durham compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Durham and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Durham vs $447/month in Springfield. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Durham and 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Durham vs $316 in Springfield. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Durham and 116 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 $57,738 in Durham and $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,166 and $54,762 respectively. Durham residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,347/month to housing in Durham vs $1,073/month in Springfield. In Durham, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 37 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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