Lakewood vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lakewood
Springfield
The Verdict
Living in Springfield costs 70.5% less than Lakewood. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lakewood, you would need $43,985 in Springfield.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lakewood has the same purchasing power as $43,985 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $127,885 in Lakewood.
Living in Lakewood vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Lakewood's housing index of 188 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $574,000 vs $162,000. The $412,000 difference in home prices means roughly $26,784 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,850/mo in Lakewood compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $925.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Lakewood and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Lakewood 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 85 in Lakewood and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $340 in Lakewood vs $392 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 84 in Lakewood 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 $83,800 in Lakewood and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,008 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 $1,955/month to housing in Lakewood vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Lakewood, median rent of $1,850/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 136 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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