City Comparison

Glendale vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Glendale

Arizona
113
Above Average
$405,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$70,100
Median Income

Springfield

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

The Verdict

44.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 44.9%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Glendale has equivalent purchasing power to $51,770 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
119
Glendale
52
Springfield
Groceries
103
Glendale
98
Springfield
Utilities
98
Glendale
98
Springfield
Transportation
103
Glendale
114
Springfield
Healthcare
94
Glendale
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Glendale has the same purchasing power as $51,770 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $108,654 in Glendale.

Living in Glendale vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Glendale's housing index of 119 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $405,000 vs $162,000. The $243,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,792 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Glendale compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Glendale and 91 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 $70,100 in Glendale and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,035 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 $1,636/month to housing in Glendale vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Glendale, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 67 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 44.9% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Glendale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $51,770 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Glendale's housing index is 119 with median homes at $405,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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