City Comparison

Eugene vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Eugene

Oregon
115
Above Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$49,448
Median Income

Springfield

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

The Verdict

47.4%

Living in Springfield costs 47.4% less than Eugene. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Eugene, you would need $50,870 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
130
Eugene
52
Springfield
Groceries
103
Eugene
98
Springfield
Utilities
91
Eugene
98
Springfield
Transportation
107
Eugene
114
Springfield
Healthcare
106
Eugene
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Eugene has the same purchasing power as $50,870 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $110,577 in Eugene.

Living in Eugene vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Eugene's housing index of 130 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $162,000. The $218,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,172 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Eugene compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Eugene and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Eugene 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 91 in Eugene and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Eugene vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 106 in Eugene and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $49,448 in Eugene and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,998 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 $1,154/month to housing in Eugene vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Eugene, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 78 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 47.4% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 115.
A $75,000 salary in Eugene has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $50,870 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Eugene's housing index is 130 with median homes at $380,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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