City Comparison

Springfield vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

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

Wilmington

North Carolina
103
Average
$320,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$48,432
Median Income

The Verdict

24.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 24.3%, with Springfield being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to $99,038 in Wilmington.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
52
Springfield
108
Wilmington
Groceries
98
Springfield
101
Wilmington
Utilities
98
Springfield
94
Wilmington
Transportation
114
Springfield
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
91
Springfield
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $99,038 in Wilmington.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wilmington equals $56,796 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 52 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $162,000 vs $320,000. The $158,000 difference in home prices means roughly $10,272 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $925/mo in Springfield compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 98 in Springfield and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $466/month in Springfield vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $392 in Springfield vs $376 in Wilmington. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 91 in Springfield and 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 15-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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $83,974 and $47,021 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 $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Springfield, median rent of $925/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 56 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 24.3% more affordable overall with an index of 78 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $99,038 in Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 52 with median homes at $162,000, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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