City Comparison

Flint vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Flint

Michigan
85
Very Affordable
$75,000
Median Home
$775/mo
Median Rent
$30,400
Median Income

Springfield

Massachusetts
107
Above Average
$230,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$41,612
Median Income

The Verdict

20.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 20.6%, with Flint being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Flint has equivalent purchasing power to $94,412 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
31
Flint
106
Springfield
Groceries
100
Flint
104
Springfield
Utilities
94
Flint
119
Springfield
Transportation
108
Flint
101
Springfield
Healthcare
95
Flint
114
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Flint has the same purchasing power as $94,412 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $59,579 in Flint.

Living in Flint vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Flint's housing index of 31 is lower Springfield's 106, translating to median home prices of $75,000 vs $230,000. 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: $775/mo in Flint compared to $1,200/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $425.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 100 in Flint and 104 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Flint vs $494/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 94 in Flint and 119 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Flint vs $476 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 95 in Flint and 114 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $30,400 in Flint and $41,612 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $35,765 and $38,890 respectively. Springfield residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $709/month to housing in Flint vs $971/month in Springfield. In Flint, median rent of $775/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Springfield, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 75 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Flint is 20.6% more affordable overall with an index of 85 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Flint has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $94,412 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Flint's housing index is 31 with median homes at $75,000, while Springfield's is 106 with median homes at $230,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases