Lincoln vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Lincoln
Springfield
The Verdict
Springfield is 10.7% less expensive than Lincoln overall. A household earning $75,000 in Lincoln would need approximately $67,742 in Springfield to maintain the same standard of living.
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 $67,742 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $83,036 in Lincoln.
Living in Lincoln vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Lincoln's housing index of 77 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $264,000 vs $225,000. The $39,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,532 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,075/mo in Lincoln compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $125.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 98 in Lincoln and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Lincoln vs $447/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 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Lincoln vs $316 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 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 14-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 $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $77,312 and $54,762 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 $1,073/month in Springfield. In Lincoln, median rent of $1,075/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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