City Comparison

Louisville vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Louisville

Kentucky
91
Below Average
$210,000
Median Home
$1,100/mo
Median Rent
$52,238
Median Income

Springfield

Missouri
84
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$46,000
Median Income

The Verdict

8.3%

Living in Springfield costs 8.3% less than Louisville. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Louisville, you would need $69,231 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
77
Louisville
67
Springfield
Groceries
96
Louisville
94
Springfield
Utilities
91
Louisville
79
Springfield
Transportation
100
Louisville
90
Springfield
Healthcare
93
Louisville
116
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Louisville has the same purchasing power as $69,231 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $81,250 in Louisville.

Living in Louisville vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Louisville's housing index of 77 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $210,000 vs $225,000. The $15,000 difference in home prices means roughly $972 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Louisville compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Louisville and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Louisville 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 91 in Louisville and 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $364 in Louisville 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 93 in Louisville and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $52,238 in Louisville and $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $57,404 and $54,762 respectively. Louisville residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,219/month to housing in Louisville vs $1,073/month in Springfield. In Louisville, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 23 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 8.3% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 91.
A $75,000 salary in Louisville has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $69,231 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Louisville's housing index is 77 with median homes at $210,000, while Springfield's is 67 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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