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MarketsOhioSpringfieldCost of Living & Affordability

Cost of Living & Affordability: Springfield, OH

Updated 2026 · Based on median market data for Springfield, OH

Cap Rate
4.05%
Median Price
$195K
Rent/Mo
$1,120
1% Rule
0.57%
Fails

Housing Affordability

Springfield's price-to-income ratio is 4.1x — homes cost 4.1 times the local median household income of $47,711. This is moderately affordable. A healthy portion of the workforce can still aspire to homeownership, but many find renting more practical — creating a solid tenant base of working professionals.

Rent vs Buy Analysis

A typical mortgage payment on a median-priced home in Springfield (20% down at 7%) is approximately $1,297/mo for principal and interest alone — add taxes and insurance and the all-in payment reaches roughly $1,619. The median rent of $1,120/mo is significantly less than buying — this rent-vs-buy gap is one of the strongest indicators of sustainable rental demand. When renting is cheaper than buying, the renter pool stays deep and vacancy stays low.

Income & Employment

The median household income in Springfield is $47,711, with a population of 50,000 growing at 0.2% per year. Springfield is a smaller market. Research the local employment base carefully — smaller cities can be significantly impacted by a single employer's decisions.

What This Means for Investors

Springfield is affordable with moderate returns. Focus on volume — the low entry point lets you scale to multiple properties faster than in more expensive markets.

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How Springfield Compares

Springfield vs Ohio state average and national average across key investment metrics. Springfield outperforms both benchmarks on cap rate.

Metric
Springfield
Ohio Avg
National Avg
Cap Rate
4.05%
3.65%
3.81%
Median Price
$195K
$218K
$333K
Median Rent
$1,120
$1,149
$1,524
Property Tax
1.58%
1.58%
1.08%
Vacancy
6.7%
6.7%
5.6%
Pop. Growth
0.2%/yr
0.2%/yr
0.9%/yr

Nearby Midwest Markets

City
Cap Rate
Price
Rent
Tax
Springfield, OH
4.1%
$195K
$1,120
1.58%
Waterloo, IA
4.0%
$195K
$1,100
1.5%
Austin, MN
2.9%
$195K
$830
1.12%
Marinette, WI
3.1%
$195K
$1,000
1.88%
Toledo, OH
4.3%
$190K
$1,160
1.65%

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Springfield affordable for renters?
Renters in Springfield spend approximately 28% of median household income on rent. This is within the standard 30% affordability threshold, suggesting renters have room in their budgets. The median household income is $47,711, below the level needed for comfortable renting.
What is the price-to-income ratio in Springfield?
Springfield's price-to-income ratio is 4.1x, meaning homes cost 4.1 times the local median income. This is moderate — some residents can buy, many choose to rent.
Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Springfield?
A mortgage payment (20% down, 7% rate) on the median $195K home is approximately $1,037/mo before taxes and insurance. Adding those costs brings it to roughly $1,359/mo. The median rent of $1,120/mo is less than the cost of buying — this parity means some renters could transition to buying.
How does Springfield's cost of living compare to the national average?
Home prices in Springfield ($195K) are 42% below the national average. Rents ($1,120/mo) are 27% below average. Property taxes (1.58%) are above the 1.08% national average.
Full Springfield Analysis →Cap Rate CalculatorBRRRR Calculator

Explore Springfield & Related Markets

More Springfield Guides

Rental Property Investment GuideRent AnalysisProperty Tax GuideAppreciation & Growth ForecastNeighborhood Investment Guide

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