Tempe vs Springfield
Side-by-side cost of living comparison for 2026
Tempe
Springfield
💡 The Verdict
Tempe and Springfield have very similar costs of living, with less than a 3% difference overall.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values shown. National average = 100. Lower is cheaper.
💰 Salary Equivalence
To maintain the same standard of living:
See exact take-home pay: Arizona salaries · Massachusetts salaries
Living in Tempe vs Springfield
Housing is typically the biggest factor in any cost-of-living comparison. Tempe has a housing index of 114 while Springfield sits at 106 (national average = 100). The median home in Tempe costs $400,000 compared to $230,000 in Springfield, a difference of $170,000. Monthly rent follows a similar pattern: $1,600 in Tempe versus $1,200 in Springfield.
Groceries and everyday expenses show a narrower gap: Tempe scores 100 while Springfield scores 104. Both cities are close to the national average for grocery costs.
Healthcare costs in Tempe (95) are lower than Springfield (114).
Median household income in Tempe is $56,068 compared to $41,612 in Springfield. When adjusted for cost of living, purchasing power is similar in both cities.
Relocating: Tempe vs Springfield
If you are considering a move between Tempe (index: 106) and Springfield (index: 107), the 1% cost difference has real implications for your budget. Tempe is the more affordable option, but the right choice depends on your income, career opportunities, and lifestyle priorities.
Housing budget reality: Using the 28% rule (spending no more than 28% of gross income on housing), the median household in Tempe can afford $1,308/month, while the median household in Springfield can afford $971/month. With median homes at $400,000 in Tempe versus $230,000 in Springfield, homeownership requires above-median income in the pricier market.
Renting vs buying: At $1,600/month in Tempe and $1,200/month in Springfield, renters save significantly in Tempe. The rent-to-own ratio in each city determines whether renting or buying offers better value for your situation.
Income adjustment: A $75,000 salary goes about equally far in both cities. Before accepting a job in either city, use the salary equivalence data above to understand what you would need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
Reading These Numbers: Tempe (106) vs Springfield (107)
The cost of living index uses 100 as the national average. Tempe at 106 is 6% above the US average, while Springfield at 107 is 7% above average. Both cities are close to the national average in overall costs.
The overall index is a weighted average of housing (the largest component), groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare. Housing typically drives the biggest differences between cities. Even when two cities have similar overall indices, their category-level costs can vary significantly — one city might have expensive housing but cheap groceries, while another is the reverse. Check the category breakdown above for the full picture.
For renters: With median rents of $1,600/month in Tempe and $1,200/month in Springfield, the annual rent difference is approximately $4,800. Over a 5-year period, that compounds to $24,000 in savings by choosing the more affordable city.
For homebuyers: The $170,000 difference in median home prices between Tempe and Springfield translates to roughly $10,200 per month in mortgage payments at current rates. Factor this into your budget alongside property taxes and insurance, which also vary by location.
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