City Comparison

Springfield vs Syracuse

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

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

Syracuse

New York
92
Below Average
$140,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$36,708
Median Income

The Verdict

15.2%

Living in Springfield costs 15.2% less than Syracuse. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Springfield, you would need $88,462 in Syracuse.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Springfield
69
Syracuse
Groceries
98
Springfield
101
Syracuse
Utilities
98
Springfield
105
Syracuse
Transportation
114
Springfield
101
Syracuse
Healthcare
91
Springfield
100
Syracuse

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $88,462 in Syracuse.

Conversely, $75,000 in Syracuse equals $63,587 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Syracuse

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 52 is lower Syracuse's 69, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $140,000. The $22,000 difference in home prices means roughly $1,428 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Springfield compared to $950/mo in Syracuse, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Springfield and 101 in Syracuse. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Springfield vs $480/month in Syracuse. 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 105 in Syracuse. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Springfield vs $420 in Syracuse. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Springfield and 100 in Syracuse. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 9-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 $36,708 in Syracuse. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,974 and $39,900 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 $857/month in Syracuse. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Syracuse, median rent of $950/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 17 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 15.2% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $88,462 in Syracuse, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 52 with median homes at $162,000, while Syracuse's is 69 with median homes at $140,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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