Lincoln vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lincoln
Springfield
The Verdict
Living in Springfield costs 19.2% less than Lincoln. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Lincoln, you would need $62,903 in Springfield.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Lincoln has the same purchasing power as $62,903 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $89,423 in Lincoln.
Living in Lincoln vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Lincoln's housing index of 77 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $162,000. The $102,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,636 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln 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 93 in Lincoln and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Lincoln and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $71,900 in Lincoln and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 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 $1,678/month to housing in Lincoln vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/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 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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