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

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

The Verdict

3.6%

Springfield is 3.6% less expensive than Springdale overall. A household earning $75,000 in Springdale would need approximately $72,414 in Springfield to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
86
Springdale
67
Springfield
Groceries
97
Springdale
94
Springfield
Utilities
93
Springdale
79
Springfield
Transportation
91
Springdale
90
Springfield
Healthcare
82
Springdale
116
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springdale has the same purchasing power as $72,414 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $77,679 in Springdale.

Living in Springdale vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Springdale's housing index of 86 is higher Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $299,000 vs $225,000. The $74,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,812 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Springdale compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Springdale and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Springdale vs $447/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 Springdale and 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Springdale 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 82 in Springdale and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 34-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 $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,379 and $54,762 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 $1,073/month in Springfield. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 34 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 3.6% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 87.
A $75,000 salary in Springdale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $72,414 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 67 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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