City Comparison

Springfield vs Stockton

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

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

Stockton

California
114
Above Average
$400,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$54,658
Median Income

The Verdict

31.6%

Living in Springfield costs 31.6% less than Stockton. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Springfield, you would need $109,615 in Stockton.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Springfield
126
Stockton
Groceries
98
Springfield
101
Stockton
Utilities
98
Springfield
108
Stockton
Transportation
114
Springfield
111
Stockton
Healthcare
91
Springfield
101
Stockton

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $109,615 in Stockton.

Conversely, $75,000 in Stockton equals $51,316 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Stockton

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 52 is lower Stockton's 126, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $400,000. The $238,000 difference in home prices means roughly $15,468 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Springfield compared to $1,500/mo in Stockton, a monthly difference of $575.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Springfield and 101 in Stockton. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Springfield vs $480/month in Stockton. 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 108 in Stockton. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Springfield vs $432 in Stockton. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Springfield and 101 in Stockton. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $54,658 in Stockton. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,974 and $47,946 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 $1,275/month in Stockton. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Stockton, median rent of $1,500/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 74 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 31.6% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 114.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $109,615 in Stockton, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 52 with median homes at $162,000, while Stockton's is 126 with median homes at $400,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

Moving PlannersFinance BooksBudget Planners

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases