City Comparison

Springfield vs Syracuse

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

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

Syracuse

New York
92
Below Average
$140,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$36,708
Median Income

The Verdict

8.7%

Living in Springfield costs 8.7% less than Syracuse. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Springfield, you would need $82,143 in Syracuse.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
67
Springfield
69
Syracuse
Groceries
94
Springfield
101
Syracuse
Utilities
79
Springfield
105
Syracuse
Transportation
90
Springfield
101
Syracuse
Healthcare
116
Springfield
100
Syracuse

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $82,143 in Syracuse.

Conversely, $75,000 in Syracuse equals $68,478 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Syracuse

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 67 is lower Syracuse's 69, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $140,000. The $85,000 difference in home prices means roughly $5,520 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Springfield compared to $950/mo in Syracuse, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Springfield and 101 in Syracuse. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Springfield vs $480/month in Syracuse. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $396/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Springfield and 105 in Syracuse. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Springfield vs $420 in Syracuse. 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 100 in Syracuse. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 16-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 $36,708 in Syracuse. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,762 and $39,900 respectively. Springfield residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,073/month to housing in Springfield vs $857/month in Syracuse. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Syracuse, median rent of $950/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Utilities, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 8.7% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 92.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $82,143 in Syracuse, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 67 with median homes at $225,000, while Syracuse's is 69 with median homes at $140,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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