City Comparison

El Paso vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

El Paso

Texas
85
Very Affordable
$185,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$47,568
Median Income

Springfield

Missouri
84
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$46,000
Median Income

The Verdict

1.2%

Springfield is 1.2% less expensive than El Paso overall. A household earning $75,000 in El Paso would need approximately $74,118 in Springfield to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
69
El Paso
67
Springfield
Groceries
95
El Paso
94
Springfield
Utilities
93
El Paso
79
Springfield
Transportation
98
El Paso
90
Springfield
Healthcare
89
El Paso
116
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in El Paso has the same purchasing power as $74,118 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $75,893 in El Paso.

Living in El Paso vs Springfield

Housing Costs

El Paso's housing index of 69 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $185,000 vs $225,000. The $40,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,604 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in El Paso compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in El Paso and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in El Paso 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 93 in El Paso and 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in El Paso 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 89 in El Paso and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $47,568 in El Paso and $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,962 and $54,762 respectively. El Paso residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,110/month to housing in El Paso vs $1,073/month in Springfield. In El Paso, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 27 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 1.2% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 85.
A $75,000 salary in El Paso has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $74,118 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
El Paso's housing index is 69 with median homes at $185,000, while Springfield's is 67 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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