City Comparison

Springfield vs Tokyo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

Massachusetts
107
Above Average
$230,000
Median Home
$1,200/mo
Median Rent
$41,612
Median Income

Tokyo

Japan
82
Very Affordable
$450,000
Median Home
$1,225/mo
Median Rent
$42,000
Median Income

The Verdict

30.5%

The cost gap between these cities is 30.5%, with Tokyo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to $57,477 in Tokyo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
106
Springfield
98
Tokyo
Groceries
104
Springfield
88
Tokyo
Utilities
119
Springfield
85
Tokyo
Transportation
101
Springfield
78
Tokyo
Healthcare
114
Springfield
62
Tokyo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $57,477 in Tokyo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tokyo equals $97,866 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Tokyo

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 106 is higher Tokyo's 98, translating to median home prices of $230,000 vs $450,000. The $220,000 difference in home prices means roughly $14,304 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Springfield compared to $1,225/mo in Tokyo, a monthly difference of $25.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Springfield and 88 in Tokyo. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Springfield vs $418/month in Tokyo. Tokyo offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $912/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 119 in Springfield and 85 in Tokyo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $476 in Springfield vs $340 in Tokyo. 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 114 in Springfield and 62 in Tokyo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 52-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $41,612 in Springfield and $42,000 in Tokyo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $38,890 and $51,220 respectively. Tokyo residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $971/month to housing in Springfield vs $980/month in Tokyo. In Springfield, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Tokyo, median rent of $1,225/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 52 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Tokyo is 30.5% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $57,477 in Tokyo, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 106 with median homes at $230,000, while Tokyo's is 98 with median homes at $450,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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