A+
12%
Overall NAT. AVG.
12%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
24%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index Springfield Illinois National
Cost of living8896100
Goods & Services8897100
Groceries9798100
Health care9395100
Housing7695100
Transportation109103100
Utilities9789100

An Overview of Cost of Living in Springfield, IL

Getting a feel for the cost of living in Springfield is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in Springfield is 88, which is 12% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

Everyday staples like clothes, toiletries and entertainment expenses play a big role in your total living costs. But in Springfield, these goods are 12.4% cheaper than the national average. So, you can enjoy what you need and love without emptying your wallet. Plus, you'll have more cash to put towards your savings or any other money goals you have, which is a real boost for your financial well-being.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in Springfield?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 7 locals to get their views on the cost of living in Springfield. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 43% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 57% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is Springfield Affordable?

Is Springfield affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take Springfield, for instance, where the median home price falls 28.9% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 13.6% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with Springfield flaunting a median household income of $54,164, 2.1% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in Springfield?

Transportation: If public transportation is limited or not available, residents may need to own and maintain vehicles, which can add to the cost of living. Gas, insurance, regular maintenance and potentially lease or finance payments will all need to be paid on a monthly basis. In Springfield, the transportation index is 9% higher than the national average.

Subsidies: Certain cities or states may institute government subsidies or assistance programs designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with the cost of living for their residents. These programs encompass a variety of support mechanisms, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Areas that provide fewer subsidies may see an uptick in their overall cost of living.

Healthcare: Healthcare expenditures and insurance premium rates can vary significantly, contingent upon the particular city or state. Factors such as the accessibility of healthcare facilities, out-of-pocket expenses for doctor's appointments, dental care charges, prescription medication costs, and expenses related to specialized medical care can all have an impact on the overall cost of living. In Springfield, healthcare costs are 7.2% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The cost of living data in Springfield displayed above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, which serves as a practical tool for comparing living expenses across urban areas. Published on a quarterly basis, this index aggregates data from over 300 independent researchers, encompassing more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. The weightings assigned to cost differences rely on government survey data that tracks the spending habits of professional and executive households. It's worth noting that the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, while AreaVibes integrates tax rates into the overall cost of living evaluation for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in Springfield is 8% lower than the Illinois average
  • The cost of living in Springfield is 12% lower than the national average
  • Springfield housing is 24% lower than the national average
  • Illinois general sales tax is 22% higher than the national average
  • Illinois state income tax is 119% higher than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around Springfield

See all the best places to live around Springfield

Compare Springfield, IL Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$75,628$6,302$1,765$2,269
      Renters$29,978$2,498$699$899
      The affordability of the housing market in Springfield, IL as well as the overall cost of living can be predicted by what percent of the monthly income is spent on housing related costs. This is konwn as the debt-to-income ratio (DTI). The overall rule of thumb is that no more than 28% of your gross income should be spent on the overall costs related to housing and no more than 36% of gross income on all expenses and debts. Among Springfield homeowners, the median income is $75,628. This indicates that a monthly maximum of $1,765 should be spent by homeowners on all housing related costs. Renters have a median income of $29,978. This indicates that renters would have a maximum of $699 for their rent related monthly costs.

      Illinois Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Illinois 6.25% 10.25%

      Illinois Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Illinois 4.95% 4.95%

      Goods & Services

      Item Springfield National avg. Difference
      Haircut $15.00$24.2638.2%
      Beauty Salon $30.00$45.5634.2%
      Toothpaste $3.76$3.701.5%
      Shampoo $1.20$1.286.6%
      Movie $10.96$12.139.7%
      Bowling $20.00$18.0011.1%

      Groceries

      Item Springfield National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $5.77$5.841.2%
      Fried Chicken $1.35$1.5714.4%
      Milk $4.63$4.670.8%
      Potatoes $5.10$4.933.4%
      Pizza $14.32$12.0918.5%
      Beer $9.43$10.419.5%

      Health Care

      Item Springfield National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $120.83$125.683.9%
      Doctor $121.67$135.7810.4%
      Dentist $100.00$113.2911.7%
      Ibuprofen $10.26$10.653.7%
      Lipitor $493.33$468.605.3%

      Housing

      Item Springfield National avg. Difference
      Home Price $131,300.00$184,700.0028.9%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,978.34$2,346.6915.7%
      Apartment Rent $820.00$949.0013.6%

      Transportation

      Item Springfield National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.60$3.464.1%
      Tire Balancing $72.50$59.9221.0%

      Utilities

      Item Springfield National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $181.08$193.996.7%
      Phone $195.03$192.251.4%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Cornland, IL71946.1%
      Jeisyville, IL587525.3%
      Tovey, IL5827722.5%
      Clear Lake, IL3867921.0%
      Berlin, IL1827921.0%
      Springfield, IL115,0758811.5%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      West Jordan, UT115,18112020.2%
      Westminster, CO114,83212525.2%
      The Woodlands, TX114,53212423.7%
      Carlsbad, CA114,41119796.7%
      College Station, TX115,8021055.0%
      Springfield, IL115,0758811.5%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.