Springfield vs Winston-Salem
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Springfield
Winston-Salem
The Verdict
The cost gap between these cities is 27.4%, with Winston-Salem being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to $58,879 in Winston-Salem.
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 $58,879 in Winston-Salem.
Conversely, $75,000 in Winston-Salem equals $95,536 in Springfield.
Living in Springfield vs Winston-Salem
Housing Costs
Springfield's housing index of 116 is higher Winston-Salem's 63, translating to median home prices of $378,000 vs $250,000. The $128,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,316 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,150/mo in Springfield compared to $1,050/mo in Winston-Salem, a monthly difference of $100.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 101 in Springfield and 97 in Winston-Salem. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $480/month in Springfield vs $461/month in Winston-Salem. 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 99 in Winston-Salem. Monthly utility bills average approximately $384 in Springfield vs $396 in Winston-Salem. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 102 in Springfield and 103 in Winston-Salem. 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 $52,600 in Winston-Salem. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $53,832 and $62,619 respectively. Winston-Salem 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 $1,227/month in Winston-Salem. In Springfield, median rent of $1,150/mo fits within this budget. In Winston-Salem, median rent of $1,050/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 53 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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