City Comparison

Reno vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Reno

Nevada
111
Above Average
$450,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$61,648
Median Income

Springfield

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

The Verdict

42.3%

Living in Springfield costs 42.3% less than Reno. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Reno, you would need $52,703 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
133
Reno
52
Springfield
Groceries
102
Reno
98
Springfield
Utilities
93
Reno
98
Springfield
Transportation
105
Reno
114
Springfield
Healthcare
96
Reno
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Reno has the same purchasing power as $52,703 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $106,731 in Reno.

Living in Reno vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Reno's housing index of 133 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $450,000 vs $162,000. The $288,000 difference in home prices means roughly $18,720 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Reno compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $675.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 102 in Reno and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Reno 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 93 in Reno and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Reno vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 96 in Reno 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 $61,648 in Reno and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,539 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 $1,438/month to housing in Reno vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Reno, median rent of $1,600/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 81 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 42.3% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 111.
A $75,000 salary in Reno has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $52,703 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Reno's housing index is 133 with median homes at $450,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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