City Comparison

Springdale vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

Springfield

Massachusetts
107
Above Average
$230,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$41,612
Median Income

The Verdict

18.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 18.7%, with Springdale being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Springdale has equivalent purchasing power to $92,241 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
86
Springdale
106
Springfield
Groceries
97
Springdale
104
Springfield
Utilities
93
Springdale
119
Springfield
Transportation
91
Springdale
101
Springfield
Healthcare
82
Springdale
114
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springdale has the same purchasing power as $92,241 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $60,981 in Springdale.

Living in Springdale vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Springdale's housing index of 86 is lower Springfield's 106, translating to median home prices of $299,000 vs $230,000. The $69,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,488 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Springdale compared to $1,200/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $200.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Springdale and 104 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Springdale vs $494/month in Springfield. Springdale offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Springdale and 119 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Springdale vs $476 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 82 in Springdale and 114 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 32-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,100 in Springdale and $41,612 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,379 and $38,890 respectively. Springdale residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,449/month to housing in Springdale vs $971/month in Springfield. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 32 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 18.7% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Springdale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $92,241 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Springdale's housing index is 86 with median homes at $299,000, while Springfield's is 106 with median homes at $230,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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