Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Springfield, IL Cost of Living Comparison Between New York, NY and Springfield, IL

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends $4,852 per month in New York, NY vs $2,607 in Springfield, IL, rent included.

A couple spends around $7,370 per month in New York, NY vs $3,923 in Springfield, IL, rent included.

A family of three spends $9,889 per month in New York, NY vs $5,239 in Springfield, IL, rent included.

New York, NY costs about 86% more than Springfield, IL, driven mainly by Eating Out.

Both New York, NY and Springfield, IL sit above the global median – New York, NY by 252%, Springfield, IL by 89%.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$25.42 $25.42

$14.70 $14.70

72.93%

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$142 $142

$42.09 $42.09

236.37%

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$13.97 $13.97

$10.16 $10.16

37.50%

Cappuccino

$6.42 $6.42

$5.18 $5.18

23.94%

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.91 $3.91

$2.05 $2.05

90.73%

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.96 $2.96

$1.57 $1.57

88.54%

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.83 $7.83

$3.07 $3.07

155.05%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$9.86 $9.86

$4.06 $4.06

142.86%

Milk (1 liter)

$1.33 $1.33

$0.78 $0.78

70.51%

White Bread (500g)

$4.73 $4.73

$3.22 $3.22

46.89%

Rice (white) (1kg)

$6.89 $6.89

$8.71 $8.71

-20.90%

Eggs

$5.63 $5.63

$3.10 $3.10

81.61%

Local Cheese (1kg)

$17.39 $17.39

$19.21 $19.21

-9.47%

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$15.02 $15.02

$17.00 $17.00

-11.65%

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$17.97 $17.97

$32.27 $32.27

-44.31%

Apples (1kg)

$6.02 $6.02

$8.34 $8.34

-27.82%

Banana (1kg)

$2.15 $2.15

$1.22 $1.22

76.23%

Oranges (1kg)

$5.89 $5.89

$9.04 $9.04

-34.85%

Tomato (1kg)

$6.21 $6.21

$5.59 $5.59

11.09%

Potato (1kg)

$3.40 $3.40

$3.16 $3.16

7.59%

Onion (1kg)

$4.26 $4.26

$4.58 $4.58

-6.99%

Lettuce (1 head)

$2.67 $2.67

$1.93 $1.93

38.34%

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.43 $2.43

$1.67 $1.67

45.51%

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$18.70 $18.70

$10.16 $10.16

84.06%

Wine (Bottle)

$19.72 $19.72

$10.85 $10.85

81.75%

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.24 $3.24

$1.25 $1.25

159.20%

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.91 $3.91

$1.55 $1.55

152.26%

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.95 $2.95

$1.23 $1.23

139.84%

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$139 $139

$39.83 $39.83

248.68%

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.03 $3.03

$5.64 $5.64

-46.28%

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.22 $2.22

$1.08 $1.08

105.56%

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$41.33 $41.33

$18.12 $18.12

128.09%

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.08 $1.08

$0.85 $0.85

27.06%

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$35.3K $35.3K

$36.9K $36.9K

-4.21%

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$25.0K $25.0K

$27.0K $27.0K

-7.30%

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$236 $236

$202 $202

16.74%

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$73.5 $73.5

$93.6 $93.6

-21.50%

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$76.1 $76.1

$65.0 $65.0

17.08%

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$128 $128

$49.58 $49.58

158.63%

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$63.5 $63.5

$20.26 $20.26

213.23%

Cinema Ticket

$23.19 $23.19

$12.71 $12.71

82.45%

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$3,340 $3,340

$941 $941

254.82%

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$59.9K $59.9K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$72.8 $72.8

$106 $106

-31.51%

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$54.1 $54.1

$54.3 $54.3

-0.28%

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$119 $119

$127 $127

-6.25%

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$126 $126

$138 $138

-8.85%

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$4,467 $4,467

$908 $908

392.20%

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,988 $2,988

$1,140 $1,140

162.10%

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$9,222 $9,222

$1,894 $1,894

386.85%

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$5,537 $5,537

$2,168 $2,168

155.40%

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$18.9K $18.9K

$3,098 $3,098

509.39%

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,621 $6,621

$1,193 $1,193

455.18%

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$5,327 $5,327

$3,863 $3,863

37.91%

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

6.49

5.65

14.87%

CityCost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update for New York, NY: September 7, 2026

Last update for Springfield, IL: September 6, 2026

Cost Breakdown

A central one-bedroom costs $4,467 in New York, NY versus $908 in Springfield, IL. Rent is usually the largest line item in a monthly budget, so the gap here sets the tone for the overall comparison.

Salaries run about 38% higher in New York, NY, which partly offsets the higher cost of living there. Purchasing power depends on which expenses matter most to you.

A mid-range dinner for two costs $142 in New York, NY versus $42.00 in Springfield, IL. Groceries tell a different story – $512 in New York, NY vs $517 in Springfield, IL – so New York, NY wins on supermarket bills even if dining out costs more.

City Median Internet Speeds Comparison (Updated April 2026)

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

New York, NY vs Springfield, IL: Cost of Living - Frequently Asked Questions

New York, NY costs about 86% more than Springfield, IL, with the gap driven mainly by Eating Out. That's enough to noticeably affect everyday spending and lifestyle for anyone choosing between the two.

For a comfortable life, plan on about $7,278 per month in New York, NY and $3,911 in Springfield, IL. That covers rent, food, utilities, transport, and enough left over to feel settled – not just surviving.

Rent is clearly cheaper in Springfield, IL, especially for central apartments. Housing is actually the single biggest factor behind the overall cost gap between these two cities.

Kindergarten costs $3,340 per month in New York, NY and $941 in Springfield, IL. For families with young kids, this one expense can tip the scales when choosing between the two cities.

Interestingly, groceries are about 1% cheaper in New York, NY – one category where the pricier city actually offers better value, probably thanks to stronger retail competition or local farming.

A $2,000 monthly budget goes further in Springfield, IL, where all-in costs run around $2,607, than in New York, NY at $4,852. In Springfield, IL it covers expenses comfortably, while in New York, NY it requires careful planning or may not stretch far enough.

For digital nomads, it depends on budget. Springfield, IL costs $2,607 versus $4,852 in New York, NY. Both have workable remote work infrastructure, but the cost gap matters when income varies month to month.

If budget matters most, go with Springfield, IL. If higher salaries, better infrastructure, or specific career opportunities are the priority, New York, NY makes more sense. Both are solid long-term options with distinct trade-offs.