City Comparison

Irvine vs Springdale

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Irvine

California
178
Very Expensive
$1.1M
Median Home
$3,000/mo
Median Rent
$108,038
Median Income

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

The Verdict

104.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 104.6%, with Springdale being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Irvine has equivalent purchasing power to $36,657 in Springdale.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
294
Irvine
86
Springdale
Groceries
108
Irvine
97
Springdale
Utilities
115
Irvine
93
Springdale
Transportation
115
Irvine
91
Springdale
Healthcare
109
Irvine
82
Springdale

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Irvine has the same purchasing power as $36,657 in Springdale.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springdale equals $153,448 in Irvine.

Living in Irvine vs Springdale

Housing Costs

Irvine's housing index of 294 is higher Springdale's 86, translating to median home prices of $1.1M vs $299,000. The $751,000 difference in home prices means roughly $48,816 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $3,000/mo in Irvine compared to $1,000/mo in Springdale, a monthly difference of $2,000.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 108 in Irvine and 97 in Springdale. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $513/month in Irvine vs $461/month in Springdale. Springdale offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $624/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 115 in Irvine and 93 in Springdale. Monthly utility bills average approximately $460 in Irvine vs $372 in Springdale. 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 109 in Irvine and 82 in Springdale. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 27-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $108,038 in Irvine and $62,100 in Springdale. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $60,696 and $71,379 respectively. Springdale residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,521/month to housing in Irvine vs $1,449/month in Springdale. In Irvine, median rent of $3,000/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 208 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 104.6% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 178.
A $75,000 salary in Irvine has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $36,657 in Springdale, based on the cost of living difference.
Irvine's housing index is 294 with median homes at $1.1M, while Springdale's is 86 with median homes at $299,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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