City Comparison

Springfield vs Youngstown

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

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

Youngstown

Ohio
82
Very Affordable
$102,000
Median Home
$725/mo
Median Rent
$34,600
Median Income

The Verdict

30.5%

Living in Youngstown costs 30.5% less than Springfield. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Springfield, you would need $57,477 in Youngstown.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
106
Springfield
41
Youngstown
Groceries
104
Springfield
98
Youngstown
Utilities
119
Springfield
96
Youngstown
Transportation
101
Springfield
101
Youngstown
Healthcare
114
Springfield
90
Youngstown

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Springfield vs Youngstown

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 106 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $230,000 vs $102,000. The $128,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,316 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,200/mo in Springfield compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $475.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 104 in Springfield and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $494/month in Springfield vs $466/month in Youngstown. Youngstown 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 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $476 in Springfield vs $384 in Youngstown. 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 90 in Youngstown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 24-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 $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $38,890 and $42,195 respectively. Youngstown 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 $807/month in Youngstown. In Springfield, median rent of $1,200/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 65 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Youngstown 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 Youngstown, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 106 with median homes at $230,000, while Youngstown's is 41 with median homes at $102,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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