Lincoln vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lincoln
Springfield
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 13.1%, with Lincoln being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Lincoln has equivalent purchasing power to $86,290 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 $86,290 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $65,187 in Lincoln.
Living in Lincoln vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Lincoln's housing index of 77 is lower Springfield's 106, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $230,000. The $34,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,208 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $1,200/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 104 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln vs $494/month in Springfield. Lincoln offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Lincoln and 119 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $476 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 102 in Lincoln and 114 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $41,612 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $38,890 respectively. Lincoln residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,678/month to housing in Lincoln vs $971/month in Springfield. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 29 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases