City Comparison

Springfield vs Wilmington

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

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

Wilmington

North Carolina
103
Average
$320,000
Median Home
$1,400/mo
Median Rent
$48,432
Median Income

The Verdict

18.4%

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

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
67
Springfield
108
Wilmington
Groceries
94
Springfield
101
Wilmington
Utilities
79
Springfield
94
Wilmington
Transportation
90
Springfield
99
Wilmington
Healthcare
116
Springfield
106
Wilmington

Salary Equivalence

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

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

Living in Springfield vs Wilmington

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 67 is lower Wilmington's 108, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $320,000. The $95,000 difference in home prices means roughly $6,180 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Springfield compared to $1,400/mo in Wilmington, a monthly difference of $450.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Springfield and 101 in Wilmington. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Springfield vs $480/month in Wilmington. 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 94 in Wilmington. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Springfield vs $376 in Wilmington. 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 106 in Wilmington. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-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 $48,432 in Wilmington. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,762 and $47,021 respectively. Springfield residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,073/month to housing in Springfield vs $1,130/month in Wilmington. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Wilmington, median rent of $1,400/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 41 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 Wilmington, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 67 with median homes at $225,000, while Wilmington's is 108 with median homes at $320,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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