salaryRent is lower than in 72% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs under 3 years of household income, which is easy by U.S. standards. Commutes are short, about 17.4 minutes.
How much money do I need?
To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $50,560 a year. That is $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is rent cheaper than other Illinois cities?
Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Illinois. It is number 112 of 334 cities from cheapest to most expensive.
How much do households earn in Springfield?
Share of households by yearly income. 22.7% of households earn $100,000 or more.
Rent by apartment size in Springfield
| Size | Springfield | U.S. average |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $753 | $1,338 |
| 1 bedroom | $846 | $1,324 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,103 | $1,509 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,346 | $1,698 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,295 | $2,098 |
Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.
How expensive is Springfield overall?
Everyday prices in the Springfield metro area are 7% below the U.S. average (index 92.7, U.S. = 100).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.
Taxes and bills in Springfield
Life in Springfield
What jobs pay in Springfield
| Job | Median pay | Rent / pay |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacist | $135,440 | 11.2% |
| Physician Assistant | $133,750 | 11.3% |
| Lawyer | $131,400 | 11.5% |
| Nurse Practitioner | $130,200 | 11.6% |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $117,590 | 12.9% |
| Civil Engineer | $105,750 | 14.3% |
| Software Developer | $104,550 | 14.5% |
| Operations Manager | $95,990 | 15.8% |
| Plumber | $94,370 | 16.1% |
| Accountant | $86,440 | 17.5% |
| Electrician | $84,780 | 17.9% |
| Registered Nurse | $84,220 | 18.0% |
| Dental Hygienist | $83,070 | 18.3% |
| Police Officer | $82,740 | 18.3% |
| Carpenter | $76,970 | 19.7% |
| HVAC Technician | $70,730 | 21.4% |
| Firefighter | $65,330 | 23.2% |
| Market Research Analyst | $65,090 | 23.3% |
| Elementary School Teacher | $62,340 | 24.3% |
| Licensed Practical Nurse | $60,110 | 25.2% |
| Truck Driver | $50,350 | 30.1% |
| Medical Assistant | $45,140 | 33.6% |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,230 | 37.7% |
| Nursing Assistant | $40,070 | 37.9% |
| Warehouse Worker | $38,160 | 39.7% |
| Restaurant Cook | $36,550 | 41.5% |
| Retail Salesperson | $33,450 | 45.3% |
| Cashier | $31,920 | 47.5% |
| Server (Waiter/Waitress) | $31,200 | 48.6% |
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Springfield?
Buying is cheaper month to month: about $139 a month less than renting.
Owning assumes a typical $162,100 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $16,210 for the down payment.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Springfield, IL?
Renting in Springfield costs a median of about $1,264 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Illinois median is $1,517.
How much do I need to make to live in Springfield?
To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $50,560 a year, or $24 an hour at a full-time job.
Is Springfield cheap or expensive?
Springfield is rated OK: rent takes 21.3% of the typical household income of $71,250. It ranks 112th cheapest of 334 Illinois cities we track.
How much are property taxes in Springfield?
The median homeowner in Springfield pays $3,362 a year in property taxes, about 2.07% of the median home value.
Is Springfield more expensive than the national average?
Overall prices in the metro area are 7% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.
How much does a house cost in Springfield?
The median home value in Springfield is $162,100, about 2.3 times the typical yearly household income.
113,330 people live in Springfield. Numbers are typical (middle) values.