Cost of Living: Carlsbad, CA vs Springfield, IL (2026)

Carlsbad

California
253
VS

Springfield

Illinois
61

Carlsbad is 192% more expensive than Springfield.

$2,678/mo ↑ 183%
Median Rent
$945/mo ↓ 65%
$139,326/yr ↑ 113%
Median Income
$65,537/yr ↓ 53%
$1,156,900 ↑ 645%
Home Value
$155,200 ↓ 87%
$2,801/mo ↑ 188%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 65%
114,500
Population
113,714

Tax Comparison

13.3%
Income Tax
4.95%
7.25%
Sales Tax
6.25%
0.71%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

23.1%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Carlsbad, CA and Springfield, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 253 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,733/month cheaper in Springfield, saving renters about $20,796/year.

Median household income is $73,789/year higher in Carlsbad. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Carlsbad is $1,156,900 compared to $155,200 in Springfield.

Illinois has a lower income tax rate, making Springfield slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Carlsbad vs Springfield — common questions

Is Carlsbad or Springfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Springfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 253 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Carlsbad and Springfield?
Median rent in Carlsbad is $2,678/month and in Springfield it's $945/month — a difference of $1,733/month.
Which city has higher income, Carlsbad or Springfield?
Median household income is $139,326 in Carlsbad and $65,537 in Springfield. Median household income is $73,789/year higher in Carlsbad.
How do taxes compare between California and Illinois?
California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to Carlsbad or Springfield?
It depends on your priorities. Carlsbad has a cost index of 253 with median rent of $2,678/mo, while Springfield has a cost index of 61 with rent of $945/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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