Springfield vs St. Paul
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Springfield
St. Paul
The Verdict
Springfield is 16.0% less expensive than St. Paul overall. A household earning $75,000 in Springfield would need approximately $89,286 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $89,286 in St. Paul.
Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $63,000 in Springfield.
Living in Springfield vs St. Paul
Housing Costs
Springfield's housing index of 67 is lower St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $260,000. The $35,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,280 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Springfield compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $350.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Springfield and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Springfield vs $489/month in St. Paul. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $504/year.
Utility Expenses
Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Springfield and 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Springfield vs $388 in St. Paul. 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 116 in Springfield and 105 in St. Paul. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 11-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $46,000 in Springfield and $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,762 and $57,718 respectively. St. Paul residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,073/month to housing in Springfield vs $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 31 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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