City Comparison

Gresham vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Gresham

Oregon
128
Expensive
$459,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$69,600
Median Income

Springfield

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

The Verdict

64.1%

Living in Springfield costs 64.1% less than Gresham. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Gresham, you would need $45,703 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
172
Gresham
52
Springfield
Groceries
101
Gresham
98
Springfield
Utilities
96
Gresham
98
Springfield
Transportation
126
Gresham
114
Springfield
Healthcare
103
Gresham
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Gresham has the same purchasing power as $45,703 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $123,077 in Gresham.

Living in Gresham vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Gresham's housing index of 172 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $459,000 vs $162,000. The $297,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,308 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Gresham compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 101 in Gresham and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Gresham 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 96 in Gresham and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Gresham vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 103 in Gresham and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $69,600 in Gresham and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,375 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 $1,624/month to housing in Gresham vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Gresham, median rent of $1,450/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 120 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 64.1% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 128.
A $75,000 salary in Gresham has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $45,703 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Gresham's housing index is 172 with median homes at $459,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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