City Comparison

Springfield vs Wichita

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

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

Wichita

Kansas
84
Very Affordable
$165,000
Median Home
$900/mo
Median Rent
$52,428
Median Income

The Verdict

0.0%

Living in Springfield costs 0.0% less than Wichita. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Springfield, you would need $75,000 in Wichita.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
67
Springfield
62
Wichita
Groceries
94
Springfield
95
Wichita
Utilities
79
Springfield
93
Wichita
Transportation
90
Springfield
98
Wichita
Healthcare
116
Springfield
92
Wichita

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Wichita.

Conversely, $75,000 in Wichita equals $75,000 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Wichita

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 67 is higher Wichita's 62, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $165,000. The $60,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,900 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Springfield compared to $900/mo in Wichita, a monthly difference of $50.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Springfield and 95 in Wichita. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Springfield vs $451/month in Wichita. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Springfield and 93 in Wichita. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Springfield vs $372 in Wichita. 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 92 in Wichita. 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 $46,000 in Springfield and $52,428 in Wichita. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,762 and $62,414 respectively. Wichita 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 $1,223/month in Wichita. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Wichita, median rent of $900/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Healthcare, where the gap is 24 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 0.0% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $75,000 in Wichita, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 67 with median homes at $225,000, while Wichita's is 62 with median homes at $165,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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