City Comparison

Springfield vs Vancouver

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

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

Vancouver

Washington
122
Expensive
$525,000
Median Home
$1,650/mo
Median Rent
$79,300
Median Income

The Verdict

36.1%

The cost gap between these cities is 36.1%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to $117,308 in Vancouver.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Springfield
163
Vancouver
Groceries
98
Springfield
104
Vancouver
Utilities
98
Springfield
87
Vancouver
Transportation
114
Springfield
112
Vancouver
Healthcare
91
Springfield
103
Vancouver

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $117,308 in Vancouver.

Conversely, $75,000 in Vancouver equals $47,951 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Vancouver

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 52 is lower Vancouver's 163, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $525,000. The $363,000 difference in home prices means roughly $23,592 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Springfield compared to $1,650/mo in Vancouver, a monthly difference of $725.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Springfield and 104 in Vancouver. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Springfield vs $494/month in Vancouver. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 98 in Springfield and 87 in Vancouver. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Springfield vs $348 in Vancouver. 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 103 in Vancouver. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 12-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 $79,300 in Vancouver. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,974 and $65,000 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 $1,850/month in Vancouver. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Vancouver, median rent of $1,650/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 111 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 36.1% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 122.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $117,308 in Vancouver, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 52 with median homes at $162,000, while Vancouver's is 163 with median homes at $525,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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