City Comparison

Springfield vs Springfield

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

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

Springfield

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

The Verdict

27.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 27.1%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to $102,885 in Springfield.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Springfield
106
Springfield
Groceries
98
Springfield
104
Springfield
Utilities
98
Springfield
119
Springfield
Transportation
114
Springfield
101
Springfield
Healthcare
91
Springfield
114
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $102,885 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $54,673 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 52 is lower Springfield's 106, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $230,000. The $68,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,416 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Springfield compared to $1,200/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Springfield and 104 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Springfield vs $494/month in Springfield. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Springfield and 119 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Springfield 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 91 in Springfield and 114 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 23-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $65,500 in Springfield and $41,612 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,974 and $38,890 respectively. Springfield residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,528/month to housing in Springfield vs $971/month in Springfield. In Springfield, median rent of $925/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 Housing, where the gap is 54 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 27.1% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $102,885 in Springfield, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 52 with median homes at $162,000, while Springfield's is 106 with median homes at $230,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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