CostIndexUSA

Harrisburg, PA vs Springfield, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Harrisburg
98.7
overall index
$1,400/mo rent
More AffordableMA
Springfield
96.1
overall index
$1,925/mo rent

Springfield is slightly cheaper than Harrisburg — 2.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Harrisburg, you would need $77,900 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing21.3%
Harrisburg
96.3
Springfield
75.8
🛒 Groceries3.7%
Harrisburg
100.7
Springfield
97
🚗 Transportation+3.6%
Harrisburg
102.6
Springfield
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+3.6%
Harrisburg
92.8
Springfield
96.1
Utilities+43.4%
Harrisburg
108.1
Springfield
155

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Harrisburg to see what you'd need to earn in Springfield to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MA
$77,900
$2,100 less needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (96.1 ÷ 98.7) = salary × 0.9737. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Home Price
$298,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,400
Housing Index
96.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.7×

Springfield, MA

Median Home Price
$356,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,925
Housing Index
75.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Harrisburg has 21.3% lower housing costs compared to Springfield.

Income & Job Market

Harrisburg, PA

Median Household Income
$76,800
Per Capita Income
$43,800
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
49,192
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareFinanceEducationManufacturing

Springfield, MA

Median Household Income
$67,000
Per Capita Income
$38,200
Unemployment Rate
3.9%
Population
155,929
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceGovernment

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Harrisburg, PA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Springfield, MA
2.9×income-to-rent ratio

66% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.