Madison vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Madison
Springfield
The Verdict
Springfield is 35.9% less expensive than Madison overall. A household earning $75,000 in Madison would need approximately $55,189 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 Madison has the same purchasing power as $55,189 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $101,923 in Madison.
Living in Madison vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Madison's housing index of 115 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $340,000 vs $162,000. The $178,000 difference in home prices means roughly $11,568 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Madison compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $475.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Madison and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Madison 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 97 in Madison and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Madison vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 105 in Madison and 91 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 $67,565 in Madison and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $63,741 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 $1,577/month to housing in Madison vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Madison, median rent of $1,400/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 63 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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