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

Santa Clara

California
307
VS

Springfield

Illinois
61

Santa Clara is 403% more expensive than Springfield.

$2,985/mo ↑ 216%
Median Rent
$945/mo ↓ 68%
$173,670/yr ↑ 165%
Median Income
$65,537/yr ↓ 62%
$1,527,900 ↑ 884%
Home Value
$155,200 ↓ 90%
$3,051/mo ↑ 213%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 68%
129,239
Population
113,714

Tax Comparison

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

Affordability

20.6%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Santa Clara, CA and Springfield, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 307 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $2,040/month cheaper in Springfield, saving renters about $24,480/year.

Median household income is $108,133/year higher in Santa Clara. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Santa Clara is $1,527,900 compared to $155,200 in Springfield.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Santa Clara vs Springfield — common questions

Is Santa Clara or Springfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Springfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 307 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Santa Clara and Springfield?
Median rent in Santa Clara is $2,985/month and in Springfield it's $945/month — a difference of $2,040/month.
Which city has higher income, Santa Clara or Springfield?
Median household income is $173,670 in Santa Clara and $65,537 in Springfield. Median household income is $108,133/year higher in Santa Clara.
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 Santa Clara or Springfield?
It depends on your priorities. Santa Clara has a cost index of 307 with median rent of $2,985/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.
View Santa Clara details → View Springfield details →

More Comparisons

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