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

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

The Verdict

36.9%

Springfield is 36.9% less expensive than Eugene overall. A household earning $75,000 in Eugene would need approximately $54,783 in Springfield to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
130
Eugene
67
Springfield
Groceries
103
Eugene
94
Springfield
Utilities
91
Eugene
79
Springfield
Transportation
107
Eugene
90
Springfield
Healthcare
106
Eugene
116
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Eugene has the same purchasing power as $54,783 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $102,679 in Eugene.

Living in Eugene vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Eugene's housing index of 130 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $225,000. The $155,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,080 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Eugene compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Eugene and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Eugene vs $447/month in Springfield. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $504/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 91 in Eugene and 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Eugene 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 106 in Eugene and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $42,998 and $54,762 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 $1,073/month in Springfield. In Eugene, 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 63 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 36.9% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 115.
A $75,000 salary in Eugene has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $54,783 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 67 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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