City Comparison

Springfield vs Toronto

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

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

Toronto

Canada
93
Below Average
$615,000
Median Home
$1,825/mo
Median Rent
$55,000
Median Income

The Verdict

16.1%

Living in Springfield costs 16.1% less than Toronto. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Springfield, you would need $89,423 in Toronto.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Springfield
132
Toronto
Groceries
98
Springfield
88
Toronto
Utilities
98
Springfield
85
Toronto
Transportation
114
Springfield
98
Toronto
Healthcare
91
Springfield
72
Toronto

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $89,423 in Toronto.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toronto equals $62,903 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Toronto

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 52 is lower Toronto's 132, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $615,000. The $453,000 difference in home prices means roughly $29,448 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Springfield compared to $1,825/mo in Toronto, a monthly difference of $900.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Springfield and 88 in Toronto. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Springfield vs $418/month in Toronto. Toronto offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $576/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Springfield and 85 in Toronto. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Springfield vs $340 in Toronto. 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 72 in Toronto. 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 $55,000 in Toronto. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,974 and $59,140 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 $1,283/month in Toronto. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Toronto, median rent of $1,825/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 80 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 16.1% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 93.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $89,423 in Toronto, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 52 with median homes at $162,000, while Toronto's is 132 with median homes at $615,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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