Little Rock vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Little Rock
Springfield
The Verdict
Living in Little Rock costs 21.5% less than Springfield. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Little Rock, you would need $95,536 in Springfield.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Little Rock has the same purchasing power as $95,536 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $58,879 in Little Rock.
Living in Little Rock vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Little Rock's housing index of 62 is lower Springfield's 116, translating to median home prices of $170,000 vs $378,000. The $208,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,524 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Little Rock compared to $1,150/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $200.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Little Rock and 101 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Little Rock vs $480/month in Springfield. Little Rock offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 88 in Little Rock and 96 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $352 in Little Rock vs $384 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 90 in Little Rock and 102 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 $47,638 in Little Rock and $57,600 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $56,712 and $53,832 respectively. Little Rock residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,112/month to housing in Little Rock vs $1,344/month in Springfield. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,150/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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