City Comparison

Orem vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Orem

Utah
117
Above Average
$528,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$86,000
Median Income

Springfield

Massachusetts
107
Above Average
$230,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$41,612
Median Income

The Verdict

9.3%

Living in Springfield costs 9.3% less than Orem. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Orem, you would need $68,590 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
147
Orem
106
Springfield
Groceries
98
Orem
104
Springfield
Utilities
92
Orem
119
Springfield
Transportation
108
Orem
101
Springfield
Healthcare
95
Orem
114
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Orem has the same purchasing power as $68,590 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $82,009 in Orem.

Living in Orem vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Orem's housing index of 147 is higher Springfield's 106, translating to median home prices of $528,000 vs $230,000. The $298,000 difference in home prices means roughly $19,368 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,400/mo in Orem compared to $1,200/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Orem and 104 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Orem vs $494/month in Springfield. Orem offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 92 in Orem and 119 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $368 in Orem vs $476 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 95 in Orem and 114 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 $86,000 in Orem and $41,612 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $73,504 and $38,890 respectively. Orem residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,007/month to housing in Orem vs $971/month in Springfield. In Orem, median rent of $1,400/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 9.3% more affordable overall with an index of 107 vs 117.
A $75,000 salary in Orem has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $68,590 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Orem's housing index is 147 with median homes at $528,000, while Springfield's is 106 with median homes at $230,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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