City Comparison

Springdale vs Tempe

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springdale

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

Tempe

Arizona
106
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,600/mo
Median Rent
$56,068
Median Income

The Verdict

17.9%

Springdale is 17.9% less expensive than Tempe overall. A household earning $75,000 in Springdale would need approximately $91,379 in Tempe to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
86
Springdale
114
Tempe
Groceries
97
Springdale
100
Tempe
Utilities
93
Springdale
96
Tempe
Transportation
91
Springdale
103
Tempe
Healthcare
82
Springdale
95
Tempe

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springdale has the same purchasing power as $91,379 in Tempe.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tempe equals $61,557 in Springdale.

Living in Springdale vs Tempe

Housing Costs

Springdale's housing index of 86 is lower Tempe's 114, translating to median home prices of $299,000 vs $400,000. The $101,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,564 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Springdale compared to $1,600/mo in Tempe, a monthly difference of $600.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Springdale and 100 in Tempe. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Springdale vs $475/month in Tempe. 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 96 in Tempe. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Springdale vs $384 in Tempe. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 82 in Springdale and 95 in Tempe. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-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 $56,068 in Tempe. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,379 and $52,894 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 $1,308/month in Tempe. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In Tempe, median rent of $1,600/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 17.9% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 106.
A $75,000 salary in Springdale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,379 in Tempe, based on the cost of living difference.
Springdale's housing index is 86 with median homes at $299,000, while Tempe's is 114 with median homes at $400,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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