City Comparison

Lexington vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Lexington

Kentucky
93
Below Average
$245,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$55,648
Median Income

Springfield

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

The Verdict

19.2%

Living in Springfield costs 19.2% less than Lexington. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lexington, you would need $62,903 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
82
Lexington
52
Springfield
Groceries
96
Lexington
98
Springfield
Utilities
91
Lexington
98
Springfield
Transportation
98
Lexington
114
Springfield
Healthcare
94
Lexington
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lexington has the same purchasing power as $62,903 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $89,423 in Lexington.

Living in Lexington vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Lexington's housing index of 82 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $245,000 vs $162,000. The $83,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,400 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Lexington compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lexington and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lexington 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 91 in Lexington and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Lexington vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 94 in Lexington 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 $55,648 in Lexington and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $59,837 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 $1,298/month to housing in Lexington vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Lexington, median rent of $1,200/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 30 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 19.2% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Lexington has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $62,903 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Lexington's housing index is 82 with median homes at $245,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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