Philadelphia vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Philadelphia
Springfield
The Verdict
Springfield is 26.2% less expensive than Philadelphia overall. A household earning $75,000 in Philadelphia would need approximately $59,434 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 Philadelphia has the same purchasing power as $59,434 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $94,643 in Philadelphia.
Living in Philadelphia vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Philadelphia's housing index of 107 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $240,000 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: $1,400/mo in Philadelphia compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $450.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 104 in Philadelphia and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Philadelphia vs $447/month in Springfield. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $564/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 113 in Philadelphia and 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $452 in Philadelphia 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 101 in Philadelphia and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $49,127 in Philadelphia and $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $46,346 and $54,762 respectively. Springfield residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,146/month to housing in Philadelphia vs $1,073/month in Springfield. In Philadelphia, median rent of $1,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 40 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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