City Comparison

Springfield vs Waterbury

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

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

Waterbury

Connecticut
95
Below Average
$280,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$48,700
Median Income

The Verdict

17.9%

The cost gap between these cities is 17.9%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to $91,346 in Waterbury.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Springfield
80
Waterbury
Groceries
98
Springfield
101
Waterbury
Utilities
98
Springfield
118
Waterbury
Transportation
114
Springfield
103
Waterbury
Healthcare
91
Springfield
99
Waterbury

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $91,346 in Waterbury.

Conversely, $75,000 in Waterbury equals $61,579 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Waterbury

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 52 is lower Waterbury's 80, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $280,000. The $118,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,668 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Springfield compared to $1,200/mo in Waterbury, a monthly difference of $275.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Springfield and 101 in Waterbury. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Springfield vs $480/month in Waterbury. 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 118 in Waterbury. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Springfield vs $472 in Waterbury. 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 99 in Waterbury. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $65,500 in Springfield and $48,700 in Waterbury. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,974 and $51,263 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 $1,136/month in Waterbury. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Waterbury, median rent of $1,200/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 28 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 17.9% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 95.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,346 in Waterbury, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 52 with median homes at $162,000, while Waterbury's is 80 with median homes at $280,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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