City Comparison

Johnson City vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Johnson City

Tennessee
85
Very Affordable
$276,000
Median Home
$1,025/mo
Median Rent
$55,400
Median Income

Springfield

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

The Verdict

9.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 9.0%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Johnson City has equivalent purchasing power to $68,824 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
66
Johnson City
52
Springfield
Groceries
95
Johnson City
98
Springfield
Utilities
95
Johnson City
98
Springfield
Transportation
88
Johnson City
114
Springfield
Healthcare
94
Johnson City
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has the same purchasing power as $68,824 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $81,731 in Johnson City.

Living in Johnson City vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Johnson City's housing index of 66 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $276,000 vs $162,000. The $114,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,416 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,025/mo in Johnson City compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $100.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 95 in Johnson City and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $451/month in Johnson City 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 95 in Johnson City and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $380 in Johnson City vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Johnson City 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 $55,400 in Johnson City and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,176 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 $1,293/month to housing in Johnson City vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Johnson City, median rent of $1,025/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Transportation, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 9.0% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 85.
A $75,000 salary in Johnson City has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,824 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Johnson City's housing index is 66 with median homes at $276,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases