CostIndexUSA

Springfield, IL vs Worcester, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

More AffordableIL
Springfield
92.7
overall index
$1,150/mo rent
MA
Worcester
102.5
overall index
$2,075/mo rent

Springfield is moderately cheaper than Worcester — 10.6% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Springfield, you would need $88,500 in Worcester. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing+57.8%
Springfield
71.6
Worcester
113
🛒 Groceries+3.6%
Springfield
93.6
Worcester
97
🚗 Transportation+1.6%
Springfield
104.6
Worcester
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+1.6%
Springfield
94.6
Worcester
96.1
Utilities+71.7%
Springfield
90.4
Worcester
155.2

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Worcester, MA
$88,500
$8,500 more needed in Worcester

Formula: salary × (102.5 ÷ 92.7) = salary × 1.1057. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Springfield, IL

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

Worcester, MA

Median Home Price
$461,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,075
Housing Index
113
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.5×

Worcester has 57.8% higher housing costs compared to Springfield.

Income & Job Market

Springfield, IL

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

Worcester, MA

Median Household Income
$94,100
Per Capita Income
$53,600
Unemployment Rate
4%
Population
206,518
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingFinanceTechnology

Affordability at a Glance

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

Springfield, IL
5.2×income-to-rent ratio

81% of income left after rent (median)

Worcester, MA
3.8×income-to-rent ratio

74% 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.