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

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

The Verdict

7.1%

Springfield is 7.1% less expensive than Springfield overall. A household earning $75,000 in Springfield would need approximately $80,769 in Springfield to maintain the same standard of living.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Springfield
67
Springfield
Groceries
98
Springfield
94
Springfield
Utilities
98
Springfield
79
Springfield
Transportation
114
Springfield
90
Springfield
Healthcare
91
Springfield
116
Springfield

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $80,769 in Springfield.

Conversely, $75,000 in Springfield equals $69,643 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Springfield

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 52 is lower Springfield's 67, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $225,000. The $63,000 difference in home prices means roughly $4,092 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Springfield compared to $950/mo in Springfield, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Springfield and 94 in Springfield. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Springfield 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 98 in Springfield and 79 in Springfield. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Springfield 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 91 in Springfield and 116 in Springfield. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 25-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 $46,000 in Springfield. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,974 and $54,762 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 $1,073/month in Springfield. In Springfield, median rent of $925/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 25 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 7.1% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $80,769 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 67 with median homes at $225,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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