Springfield wins overall by ~8% (COL index)
Cost of living: Springfield vs Chicago (2026)
A $60,000 salary in Springfield buys roughly what $65,510 does in Chicago (COL-adjusted). Your real trade-offs are taxes, rent, and day-to-day prices — we break them down and personalize below.
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Tell us about your household — we calculate your real annual savings.
Estimated annual swing
+$6,065/yr
Favoring Springfield for this income & household (illustrative).
With the extra $505/mo, you could pay down a $15,000 card balance in ~30 months and still keep ~$61/mo for dining out.
Studio rent/mo
1BR rent/mo
2BR rent/mo
Median home price
Groceries index (100 = US avg)
Budget meal (1 person)
Mid-range dinner (2)
Monthly transit pass/mo
Gas price/gal
Car insurance/mo
Monthly utilities bundle/mo
Internet/mo
Median household income/yr
State income tax%
Sales tax (combined)%
Movie ticket
Gym membership/mo
Beer at restaurant
Overall COL index (100 = US avg)
Walk score / 100
| Category | Springfield Massachusetts | Chicago Illinois | Who wins | Your impact at $60K · 1br · 1 car |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 HousingQ1 2026 | ||||
| Studio rent/mo | $1,150Wins | $1,500 | Springfield wins +$350/mo | $4,200/yr saves in Springfield |
| 1BR rent/mo | $1,450Wins | $1,900 | Springfield wins +$450/mo | $5,400/yr saves in Springfield |
| 2BR rent/mo | $1,900Wins | $2,600 | Springfield wins +$700/mo | $8,400/yr saves in Springfield |
| Median home price | $260KWins | $360K | Springfield wins +$100K | — |
| 🛒 Food & GroceriesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Groceries index (100 = US avg) | 103 | 102Better | Chicago wins -1 | — |
| Budget meal (1 person) | $15Better | $15 | — | — |
| Mid-range dinner (2) | $58Better | $60 | Springfield wins +$2/mo | — |
| 🚌 TransportationQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly transit pass/mo | $72Wins | $105 | Springfield wins +$33/mo | $396/yr saves in Springfield |
| Gas price/gal | $3.40Better | $3.40 | — | — |
| Car insurance/mo | $162Better | $165 | Springfield wins +$3/mo | — |
| ⚡ UtilitiesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Monthly utilities bundle/mo | $185 | $165Better | Chicago wins −$20/mo | $240/yr saves in Chicago |
| Internet/mo | $65Better | $65 | — | — |
| 💰 Income & TaxesQ1 2026 | ||||
| Median household income/yr | $47K | $67KWins | Chicago wins +$20K more/yr | — |
| State income tax% | 5.0% | 4.9%Better | Chicago wins -0.1 pp | — |
| Sales tax (combined)% | 6.3%Wins | 10.3% | Springfield wins +4.0 pp | — |
| 🎬 LeisureQ1 2026 | ||||
| Movie ticket | $15.00Better | $16.00 | Springfield wins +$1.00 | — |
| Gym membership/mo | $40Better | $45 | Springfield wins +$5/mo | — |
| Beer at restaurant | $6.50Better | $7.00 | Springfield wins +$0.50 | — |
| 📊 OverviewQ1 2026 | ||||
| Overall COL index (100 = US avg) | 98Better | 107 | Springfield wins +9 | — |
| Walk score / 100 | 60 | 78Wins | Chicago wins +18 more/yr | — |
Complete the Picture
While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
Tax-smart rewards
Maximize everyday spend in your new city
Springfield fits your move math — cash-back cards stack on groceries, gas, and dining you're already doing.
Home + auto bundle
New state — new insurance rates
Bundling often saves hundreds/yr. Compare before you sign a lease in Springfield.
High-yield savings
Park ~$5,400/yr rent savings at 4–5%+ APY
Don't let relocation cash sit at 0% — put it to work until closing day.
More ways to compare this move
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While you’re comparing — don’t leave money on the table.
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Frequently asked questions
Is Springfield cheaper than Chicago?
Yes. Springfield is 8% cheaper than Chicago based on overall cost of living indices (98 vs 107, where 100 = US average).
What is the average rent in Springfield vs Chicago?
As of Q1 2026, the median 1-bedroom rent in Springfield is $1,450/month and in Chicago is $1,900/month. Springfield is cheaper by 24%.
How much do I need to earn in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Springfield?
To maintain a similar lifestyle, you would need approximately $81,888/year in Chicago to match a $75,000 salary in Springfield. This estimate is based on overall cost of living indices and does not account for individual spending patterns.
Which city has lower taxes — Springfield or Chicago?
Chicago has the lower state income tax rate at 4.9% vs 5%. The difference is 0.1 percentage points. Note that sales tax and local taxes also vary — see the full breakdown in the table above.
Is it worth moving from Springfield to Chicago?
It depends on your priorities. Springfield offers lower overall costs, but both cities have different job markets, weather, and lifestyle trade-offs. Use the comparison table above to evaluate rent, groceries, transportation, and income potential side by side based on your specific budget.
Data sourced from Zillow, BLS, Numbeo, Tax Foundation, and US Census ACS · Updated Q1 2026 · For general guidance only
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