City Comparison

Midland vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Midland

Texas
92
Below Average
$269,000
Median Home
$1,450/mo
Median Rent
$89,600
Median Income

Springfield

Illinois
78
Very Affordable
$162,000
Median Home
$925/mo
Median Rent
$65,500
Median Income

The Verdict

17.9%

Springfield is 17.9% less expensive than Midland overall. A household earning $75,000 in Midland would need approximately $63,587 in Springfield to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
84
Midland
52
Springfield
Groceries
96
Midland
98
Springfield
Utilities
99
Midland
98
Springfield
Transportation
91
Midland
114
Springfield
Healthcare
110
Midland
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Midland has the same purchasing power as $63,587 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $88,462 in Midland.

Living in Midland vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Midland's housing index of 84 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $269,000 vs $162,000. The $107,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,960 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,450/mo in Midland compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $525.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Midland and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Midland 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 99 in Midland and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $396 in Midland vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 110 in Midland and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $89,600 in Midland and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $97,391 and $83,974 respectively. Midland residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,091/month to housing in Midland vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Midland, median rent of $1,450/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 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 17.9% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Midland has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $63,587 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Midland's housing index is 84 with median homes at $269,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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