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

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

The Verdict

34.5%

Living in Springfield costs 34.5% less than Glendale. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Glendale, you would need $55,752 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
119
Glendale
67
Springfield
Groceries
103
Glendale
94
Springfield
Utilities
98
Glendale
79
Springfield
Transportation
103
Glendale
90
Springfield
Healthcare
94
Glendale
116
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Glendale has the same purchasing power as $55,752 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $100,893 in Glendale.

Living in Glendale vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Glendale's housing index of 119 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $405,000 vs $225,000. The $180,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,700 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Glendale compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Glendale and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Glendale 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 98 in Glendale and 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Glendale 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 94 in Glendale and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 22-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $70,100 in Glendale and $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $62,035 and $54,762 respectively. Glendale residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,636/month to housing in Glendale vs $1,073/month in Springfield. In Glendale, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 34.5% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 113.
A $75,000 salary in Glendale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $55,752 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 67 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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