Springfield vs St. Paul
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Springfield
St. Paul
The Verdict
St. Paul is 7.0% less expensive than Springfield overall. A household earning $75,000 in Springfield would need approximately $70,093 in St. Paul to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $70,093 in St. Paul.
Conversely, $75,000 in St. Paul equals $80,250 in Springfield.
Living in Springfield vs St. Paul
Housing Costs
Springfield's housing index of 116 is higher St. Paul's 98, translating to median home prices of $378,000 vs $260,000. The $118,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,668 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,150/mo in Springfield compared to $1,300/mo in St. Paul, a monthly difference of $150.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Springfield and 103 in St. Paul. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Springfield vs $489/month in St. Paul. 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 96 in Springfield and 97 in St. Paul. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Springfield vs $388 in St. Paul. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Springfield and 105 in St. Paul. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. Healthcare costs are relatively similar between these two cities, though individual plan costs can still vary.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $57,600 in Springfield and $57,718 in St. Paul. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,832 and $57,718 respectively. St. Paul residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,344/month to housing in Springfield vs $1,347/month in St. Paul. In Springfield, median rent of $1,150/mo fits within this budget. In St. Paul, median rent of $1,300/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 18 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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