City Comparison

Springfield vs Toledo

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

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

Toledo

Ohio
77
Very Affordable
$128,000
Median Home
$825/mo
Median Rent
$42,200
Median Income

The Verdict

39.0%

The cost gap between these cities is 39.0%, with Toledo being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to $53,972 in Toledo.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
106
Springfield
55
Toledo
Groceries
104
Springfield
98
Toledo
Utilities
119
Springfield
92
Toledo
Transportation
101
Springfield
101
Toledo
Healthcare
114
Springfield
84
Toledo

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $53,972 in Toledo.

Conversely, $75,000 in Toledo equals $104,221 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Toledo

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 106 is higher Toledo's 55, translating to median home prices of $230,000 vs $128,000. The $102,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,636 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Springfield compared to $825/mo in Toledo, a monthly difference of $375.

Grocery & Food Costs

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

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 119 in Springfield and 92 in Toledo. Monthly utility bills average approximately $476 in Springfield vs $368 in Toledo. 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 84 in Toledo. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 30-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 $42,200 in Toledo. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $38,890 and $54,805 respectively. Toledo 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 $985/month in Toledo. In Springfield, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Toledo, median rent of $825/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 51 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Toledo is 39.0% more affordable overall with an index of 77 vs 107.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $53,972 in Toledo, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 106 with median homes at $230,000, while Toledo's is 55 with median homes at $128,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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