City Comparison

Scottsdale vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Scottsdale

Arizona
123
Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,000/mo
Median Rent
$92,298
Median Income

Springfield

Missouri
84
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$46,000
Median Income

The Verdict

46.4%

The cost gap between these cities is 46.4%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Scottsdale has equivalent purchasing power to $51,220 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
162
Scottsdale
67
Springfield
Groceries
103
Scottsdale
94
Springfield
Utilities
96
Scottsdale
79
Springfield
Transportation
103
Scottsdale
90
Springfield
Healthcare
95
Scottsdale
116
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Scottsdale has the same purchasing power as $51,220 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $109,821 in Scottsdale.

Living in Scottsdale vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Scottsdale's housing index of 162 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $580,000 vs $225,000. The $355,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,076 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,000/mo in Scottsdale compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $1,050.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 103 in Scottsdale and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $489/month in Scottsdale vs $447/month in Springfield. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $504/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 96 in Scottsdale and 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Scottsdale 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 95 in Scottsdale and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $92,298 in Scottsdale and $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $75,039 and $54,762 respectively. Scottsdale residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $2,154/month to housing in Scottsdale vs $1,073/month in Springfield. In Scottsdale, median rent of $2,000/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 95 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 46.4% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 123.
A $75,000 salary in Scottsdale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $51,220 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Scottsdale's housing index is 162 with median homes at $580,000, while Springfield's is 67 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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