City Comparison

New Haven vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

New Haven

Connecticut
118
Above Average
$250,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$42,158
Median Income

Springfield

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

The Verdict

51.3%

Living in Springfield costs 51.3% less than New Haven. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in New Haven, you would need $49,576 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
137
New Haven
52
Springfield
Groceries
106
New Haven
98
Springfield
Utilities
124
New Haven
98
Springfield
Transportation
102
New Haven
114
Springfield
Healthcare
114
New Haven
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in New Haven has the same purchasing power as $49,576 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $113,462 in New Haven.

Living in New Haven vs Springfield

Housing Costs

New Haven's housing index of 137 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $250,000 vs $162,000. The $88,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,724 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in New Haven compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 106 in New Haven and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $504/month in New Haven vs $466/month in Springfield. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 124 in New Haven and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $496 in New Haven vs $392 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 114 in New Haven and 91 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 $42,158 in New Haven and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $35,727 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 $984/month to housing in New Haven vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In New Haven, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 85 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 51.3% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 118.
A $75,000 salary in New Haven has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $49,576 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
New Haven's housing index is 137 with median homes at $250,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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