City Comparison

Springfield vs Stamford

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

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

Stamford

Connecticut
158
Very Expensive
$580,000
Median Home
$2,400/mo
Median Rent
$95,272
Median Income

The Verdict

50.6%

Living in Springfield costs 50.6% less than Stamford. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Springfield, you would need $151,923 in Stamford.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Springfield
232
Stamford
Groceries
98
Springfield
110
Stamford
Utilities
98
Springfield
128
Stamford
Transportation
114
Springfield
107
Stamford
Healthcare
91
Springfield
114
Stamford

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $151,923 in Stamford.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stamford equals $37,025 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Stamford

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 52 is lower Stamford's 232, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $580,000. The $418,000 difference in home prices means roughly $27,168 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Springfield compared to $2,400/mo in Stamford, a monthly difference of $1,475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Springfield and 110 in Stamford. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Springfield vs $523/month in Stamford. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $684/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Springfield and 128 in Stamford. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Springfield vs $512 in Stamford. 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 Stamford. 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 $95,272 in Stamford. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,974 and $60,299 respectively. Springfield residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,528/month to housing in Springfield vs $2,223/month in Stamford. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Stamford, median rent of $2,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 180 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 50.6% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 158.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $151,923 in Stamford, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 52 with median homes at $162,000, while Stamford's is 232 with median homes at $580,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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