CostIndexUSA

Salinas, CA vs Springfield, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

CA
Salinas
109
overall index
$2,875/mo rent
More AffordableMA
Springfield
96.1
overall index
$1,925/mo rent

Springfield is moderately cheaper than Salinas — 11.8% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Salinas, you would need $70,500 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing48.0%
Salinas
145.7
Springfield
75.8
🛒 Groceries7.8%
Salinas
105.2
Springfield
97
🚗 Transportation+0.9%
Salinas
105.3
Springfield
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+0.8%
Salinas
95.3
Springfield
96.1
Utilities≈ Equal
Salinas
154.2
Springfield
155

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MA
$70,500
$9,500 less needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (96.1 ÷ 109) = salary × 0.8817. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Salinas, CA

Median Home Price
$826,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,875
Housing Index
145.7
Price-to-Rent Ratio
23.9×

Springfield, MA

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

Salinas has 48.0% lower housing costs compared to Springfield.

Income & Job Market

Salinas, CA

Median Household Income
$88,000
Per Capita Income
$50,200
Unemployment Rate
3.6%
Population
163,542
Top Industries
AgricultureHealthcareManufacturingGovernmentEducation

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).

Salinas, CA
2.6×income-to-rent ratio

61% 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.