City Comparison

Springfield vs Sydney

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

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

Sydney

Australia
105
Average
$825,000
Median Home
$2,050/mo
Median Rent
$60,000
Median Income

The Verdict

25.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 25.7%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to $100,962 in Sydney.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Springfield
142
Sydney
Groceries
98
Springfield
95
Sydney
Utilities
98
Springfield
98
Sydney
Transportation
114
Springfield
108
Sydney
Healthcare
91
Springfield
72
Sydney

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $100,962 in Sydney.

Conversely, $75,000 in Sydney equals $55,714 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Sydney

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 52 is lower Sydney's 142, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $825,000. The $663,000 difference in home prices means roughly $43,092 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Springfield compared to $2,050/mo in Sydney, a monthly difference of $1,125.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Springfield and 95 in Sydney. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Springfield vs $451/month in Sydney. 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 98 in Sydney. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Springfield vs $392 in Sydney. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Springfield and 72 in Sydney. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $60,000 in Sydney. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,974 and $57,143 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 $1,400/month in Sydney. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Sydney, median rent of $2,050/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 90 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 25.7% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 105.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $100,962 in Sydney, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 52 with median homes at $162,000, while Sydney's is 142 with median homes at $825,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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