City Comparison

Springfield vs Youngstown

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

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

Youngstown

Ohio
82
Very Affordable
$102,000
Median Home
$725/mo
Median Rent
$34,600
Median Income

The Verdict

2.4%

Living in Youngstown costs 2.4% less than Springfield. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Springfield, you would need $73,214 in Youngstown.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
67
Springfield
41
Youngstown
Groceries
94
Springfield
98
Youngstown
Utilities
79
Springfield
96
Youngstown
Transportation
90
Springfield
101
Youngstown
Healthcare
116
Springfield
90
Youngstown

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $73,214 in Youngstown.

Conversely, $75,000 in Youngstown equals $76,829 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Youngstown

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 67 is higher Youngstown's 41, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $102,000. The $123,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,992 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Springfield compared to $725/mo in Youngstown, a monthly difference of $225.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Springfield and 98 in Youngstown. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Springfield vs $466/month in Youngstown. 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 96 in Youngstown. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Springfield vs $384 in Youngstown. 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 90 in Youngstown. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 26-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 $34,600 in Youngstown. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,762 and $42,195 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 $807/month in Youngstown. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Youngstown, median rent of $725/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 26 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Youngstown is 2.4% more affordable overall with an index of 82 vs 84.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $73,214 in Youngstown, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 67 with median homes at $225,000, while Youngstown's is 41 with median homes at $102,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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