Reno vs Springfield
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Reno
Springfield
The Verdict
Springfield is 32.1% less expensive than Reno overall. A household earning $75,000 in Reno would need approximately $56,757 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 Reno has the same purchasing power as $56,757 in Springfield.
Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $99,107 in Reno.
Living in Reno vs Springfield
Housing Costs
Reno's housing index of 133 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $450,000 vs $225,000. The $225,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,628 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,600/mo in Reno compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $650.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 102 in Reno and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $485/month in Reno vs $447/month in Springfield. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Reno and 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Reno 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 96 in Reno and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 20-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $61,648 in Reno and $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $55,539 and $54,762 respectively. Reno residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,438/month to housing in Reno vs $1,073/month in Springfield. In Reno, median rent of $1,600/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 66 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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