| Index | Springfield | Massachusetts | National |
| Cost of living | 110 | 131 | 100 |
| Groceries | 113 | 109 | 100 |
| Health care | 120 | 116 | 100 |
| Housing | 93 | 169 | 100 |
| Transportation | 115 | 115 | 100 |
| Utilities | 119 | 117 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 120 | 115 | 100 |
| Household Items | 112 | 109 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 131 | 127 | 100 |
The cost of living in Springfield affects the quality of life one can afford in this new location. It allows people to assess whether they can maintain their preferred lifestyle, including housing, leisure activities and dining options. Your total monthly expenditures can varry depending on the area, as well as many other factors. The cost of living in Springfield is 110, which is 10% higher than the national average. Knowledge of the cost of living can help individuals make informed decisions about retirement savings, investments, and financial goals.
The routine items you regularly buy for your home, such as cleaning supplies, personal care products, clothing basics, and kitchen essentials, make up 8% of the cost of living index. In Springfield, these items cost 11.6% more than the national average, making day-to-day living a bit more expensive.
The cost of groceries continues to rise at an alarming rate. Over the last two years, grocery prices have increased by more than 10%! Unfortunately, in Springfield, the news isn't any better as grocery prices are 12.8% higher than the national average.
Locals have the inside scoop on their city. So, we polled 17 residents in Springfield to learn how they view the cost of living. We asked how they felt about the cost of living in their area, and if they thought that prices were increasing, decreasing or staying the same. The verdict? 47% find it reasonable with decreasing prices, but 53% think it's quite pricey, with prices that continue to rise.
Wondering if Springfield is affordable? It's a question that often comes up when you're thinking about a new city since affordability can really shape your decisions. The cost of living index (covered earlier), housing expenses and income levels all play a part in the affordability equation. In Springfield, for example, the median home price is 7.9% lower than what folks pay nationally, and monthly rent is 6.4% lower than the usual rates. Plus, income levels matter too, with Springfield boasting a median household income of $61,882, which is 23.9% lower than the national average.
Housing: When there's a high demand for housing in trendy places, it can cause property prices and rental rates to soar, leading to a significantly higher cost of living. Conversely, in less desirable locations, where demand is low, prices tend to decrease, resulting in a more budget-friendly cost of living. In Springfield, the housing index is 7.5% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with extensive amenities and job opportunities tend to have a higher cost of living due to increased demand for services and relocation, resulting in higher home prices and higher rents. Less densely populated rural areas, or areas with less demand tend to have fewer amenities and slower job growth, which results in a lower cost of living.
Groceries: Over the past 2-3 years, grocery expenses have experienced substantial upward trends. In certain markets, food prices have surged by over 20% during this period, while others have witnessed more modest increases. These fluctuations in food costs can wield significant influence over the overall cost of living in a given region. In Springfield, the groceries index is 12.8% higher than the national average.
The cost of living estimates displayed for Springfield are modeled using a U.S. average baseline of 100, helping provide a useful comparison of local living expenses. Housing calculations include U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are AI-assisted estimates based on regional cost patterns, climate, transportation, and everyday spending expectations. These values are intended for directional comparisons across cities.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $103,145 | $8,595 | $2,407 | $3,095 |
| Renters | $36,604 | $3,050 | $854 | $1,098 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | 6.25% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Massachusetts | 5% | 9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Stafford Springs, CT | 4,911 | 104 | 4.0% |
| Chicopee, MA | 56,658 | 111 | 11.4% |
| Russell, MA | 678 | 111 | 10.8% |
| Holyoke, MA | 41,439 | 111 | 10.8% |
| Hazardville, CT | 6,370 | 114 | 13.8% |
| Springfield, MA | 156,858 | 110 | 10.1% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Pomona, CA | 156,853 | 145 | 45.3% |
| Sunnyvale, CA | 157,266 | 269 | 168.9% |
| Kansas City, KS | 156,337 | 86 | 13.7% |
| Hollywood, FL | 157,605 | 118 | 18.4% |
| Pasadena, TX | 157,942 | 94 | 6.1% |
| Springfield, MA | 156,858 | 110 | 10.1% |
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