City Comparison

Springfield vs Surprise

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

Missouri
84
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$46,000
Median Income

Surprise

Arizona
103
Average
$419,000
Median Home
$1,575/mo
Median Rent
$85,500
Median Income

The Verdict

18.4%

Living in Springfield costs 18.4% less than Surprise. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Springfield, you would need $91,964 in Surprise.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
67
Springfield
105
Surprise
Groceries
94
Springfield
100
Surprise
Utilities
79
Springfield
102
Surprise
Transportation
90
Springfield
106
Surprise
Healthcare
116
Springfield
97
Surprise

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $91,964 in Surprise.

Conversely, $75,000 in Surprise equals $61,165 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Surprise

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 67 is lower Surprise's 105, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $419,000. The $194,000 difference in home prices means roughly $12,612 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Springfield compared to $1,575/mo in Surprise, a monthly difference of $625.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Springfield and 100 in Surprise. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Springfield vs $475/month in Surprise. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $336/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Springfield and 102 in Surprise. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Springfield vs $408 in Surprise. 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 97 in Surprise. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $85,500 in Surprise. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,762 and $83,010 respectively. Surprise 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 $1,995/month in Surprise. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Surprise, median rent of $1,575/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 38 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 18.4% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 103.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,964 in Surprise, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 67 with median homes at $225,000, while Surprise's is 105 with median homes at $419,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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