CostIndexUSA

Raleigh, NC vs Springfield, MA Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

NC
Raleigh
98.2
overall index
$1,650/mo rent
More AffordableMA
Springfield
96.1
overall index
$1,925/mo rent

Springfield is slightly cheaper than Raleigh — 2.1% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Raleigh, you would need $78,300 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing26.8%
Raleigh
103.5
Springfield
75.8
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Raleigh
96.6
Springfield
97
🚗 Transportation+3.1%
Raleigh
103.1
Springfield
106.3
🏥 Healthcare+3.0%
Raleigh
93.3
Springfield
96.1
Utilities+74.2%
Raleigh
89
Springfield
155

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MA
$78,300
$1,700 less needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (96.1 ÷ 98.2) = salary × 0.9786. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Raleigh, NC

Median Home Price
$428,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,650
Housing Index
103.5
Price-to-Rent Ratio
21.6×

Springfield, MA

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

Raleigh has 26.8% lower housing costs compared to Springfield.

Income & Job Market

Raleigh, NC

Median Household Income
$96,100
Per Capita Income
$54,800
Unemployment Rate
3.5%
Population
467,665
Top Industries
TechnologyEducationHealthcareFinanceGovernment

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).

Raleigh, NC
4.9×income-to-rent ratio

79% 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.