CostIndexUSA

Little Rock, AR vs Springfield, IL Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableAR
Little Rock
89.4
overall index
$1,200/mo rent
IL
Springfield
92.7
overall index
$1,150/mo rent

Little Rock is slightly cheaper than Springfield — 3.7% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Little Rock, you would need $83,000 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+4.8%
Little Rock
68.3
Springfield
71.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Little Rock
93.6
Springfield
93.6
🚗 Transportation+4.5%
Little Rock
100.1
Springfield
104.6
🏥 Healthcare+4.5%
Little Rock
90.5
Springfield
94.6
Utilities+21.2%
Little Rock
74.6
Springfield
90.4

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Springfield, IL
$83,000
$3,000 more needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (92.7 ÷ 89.4) = salary × 1.0369. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Little Rock, AR

Median Home Price
$222,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,200
Housing Index
68.3
Price-to-Rent Ratio
15.4×

Springfield, IL

Median Home Price
$188,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,150
Housing Index
71.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
13.6×

Springfield has 4.8% higher housing costs compared to Little Rock.

Income & Job Market

Little Rock, AR

Median Household Income
$66,200
Per Capita Income
$37,700
Unemployment Rate
3.4%
Population
202,591
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareRetailFinanceManufacturing

Springfield, IL

Median Household Income
$72,200
Per Capita Income
$41,200
Unemployment Rate
4.4%
Population
114,230
Top Industries
GovernmentHealthcareEducationFinanceRetail

Affordability at a Glance

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

Little Rock, AR
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Springfield, IL
5.2×income-to-rent ratio

81% 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.