City Comparison

Provo vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Provo

Utah
104
Average
$380,000
Median Home
$1,300/mo
Median Rent
$51,048
Median Income

Springfield

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

The Verdict

33.3%

Living in Springfield costs 33.3% less than Provo. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Provo, you would need $56,250 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
112
Provo
52
Springfield
Groceries
98
Provo
98
Springfield
Utilities
87
Provo
98
Springfield
Transportation
101
Provo
114
Springfield
Healthcare
97
Provo
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Provo has the same purchasing power as $56,250 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $100,000 in Provo.

Living in Provo vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Provo's housing index of 112 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $380,000 vs $162,000. The $218,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,172 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,300/mo in Provo compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Provo and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Provo 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 87 in Provo and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $348 in Provo 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 97 in Provo and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $51,048 in Provo and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,085 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 $1,191/month to housing in Provo vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Provo, median rent of $1,300/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 60 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 33.3% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 104.
A $75,000 salary in Provo has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $56,250 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Provo's housing index is 112 with median homes at $380,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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