City Comparison

Spokane vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Spokane

Washington
98
Average
$310,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$48,834
Median Income

Springfield

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

The Verdict

25.6%

The cost gap between these cities is 25.6%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Spokane has equivalent purchasing power to $59,694 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
94
Spokane
52
Springfield
Groceries
99
Spokane
98
Springfield
Utilities
98
Spokane
98
Springfield
Transportation
101
Spokane
114
Springfield
Healthcare
102
Spokane
91
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Spokane has the same purchasing power as $59,694 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $94,231 in Spokane.

Living in Spokane vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Spokane's housing index of 94 is higher Springfield's 52, translating to median home prices of $310,000 vs $162,000. The $148,000 difference in home prices means roughly $9,624 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Spokane compared to $925/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 99 in Spokane and 98 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $470/month in Spokane 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 98 in Spokane and 98 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Spokane vs $392 in Springfield. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 102 in Spokane and 91 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $48,834 in Spokane and $65,500 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $49,831 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 $1,139/month to housing in Spokane vs $1,528/month in Springfield. In Spokane, median rent of $1,200/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 42 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 25.6% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 98.
A $75,000 salary in Spokane has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $59,694 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Spokane's housing index is 94 with median homes at $310,000, while Springfield's is 52 with median homes at $162,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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