Raleigh vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Raleigh
Springfield
The Verdict
Living in Springfield costs 30.8% less than Raleigh. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Raleigh, you would need $57,353 in Springfield.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Raleigh has the same purchasing power as $57,353 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $98,077 in Raleigh.
Living in Raleigh vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Raleigh's housing index of 107 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $370,000 vs $162,000. The $208,000 difference in home prices means roughly $13,524 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,500/mo in Raleigh compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $575.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 100 in Raleigh and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $475/month in Raleigh 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 94 in Raleigh and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $376 in Raleigh vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 108 in Raleigh and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 17-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $67,266 in Raleigh and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $65,947 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 $1,570/month to housing in Raleigh vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/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 55 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases