Massachusetts · 2026 Federal Benchmarks

Cost of Living in Springfield, MA

The median household in Springfield, MA earns $52,656 a year ($4,388/month) according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS data. Benchmark 2-bedroom rent is $1,734/month under HUD Fair Market Rents, requiring an annual income of at least $69,360 under the federal 30% housing rule, with overall consumer prices sitting 3.9% below the national baseline.

Key Economic Benchmarks

Median Household Income

$52,656$4,388 per month · U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year
2-Bedroom Rent$1,734HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent
Price Parity (RPP)96.1-3.9% vs national baseline
Electricity Rate29.6¢per kWh · EIA Residential MA
Census Population154,749Official resident count

Fair market rent & 30% rule in Springfield, MA

Official HUD Fair Market Rents evaluated against local household income benchmarks.

Moderate cost burden (30–50%)
HUD Fair Market Rent$1,734Monthly market rent
Share of gross income39.5%Recommended max: 30%
Annual income needed$69,360To meet the 30% standard
Max affordable rent$1,316At 30% of $52,656
0%30% (Affordability standard)100%
Compare against:

2026 HUD Fair Market Rent Schedule: Springfield, MA

Official FY2026 HUD Fair Market Rents for Springfield, MA MSA. Under the federal 30% housing affordability standard, housing costs are sustainable when they consume 30% or less of gross household income.

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent Schedule for Springfield, MA
Unit SizeMonthly RentAnnual Rent30% Rule Min. Income% of Median Income
Studio / Efficiency$1,219$14,628$48,76027.8%
1-Bedroom Apartment$1,382$16,584$55,28031.5%
2-Bedroom ApartmentBenchmark$1,734$20,808$69,36039.5%
3-Bedroom Home$2,127$25,524$85,08048.5%
4-Bedroom Home$2,296$27,552$91,84052.3%

See dedicated rental breakdown for Springfield, MA →

50/30/20 Living Budget in Springfield, MA

Based on the local median household income of $52,656/year ($4,388/month), here is how a balanced budget allocates expenses:

Needs (50%)$2,194/moRent ($1,734 2-BR), utilities (~$266/mo), groceries, transit
Wants (30%)$1,316/moDiscretionary spending: dining, leisure, recreation at 96.1 RPP price level
Savings & Debt (20%)$878/moEmergency fund, 401(k), IRA retirement, student loan and debt reduction

Take-Home Pay & Tax Explorer in Massachusetts

Explore net income after federal income tax, FICA, and Massachusetts state income tax based on the local median baseline.

$52,656
$20,000$110,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$52,656
Net 80%
Fed 8%
MA 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$42,176After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,515Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,622Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate19.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$4,139 / yr
Massachusetts state income tax$2,313 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$4,028 / yr

Compare earnings and living costs across Massachusetts with official federal datasets:

Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Springfield, MA

What is the median household income in Springfield, MA?

According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year survey, the median household income in Springfield, MA is $52,656 per year (approximately $4,388 per month).

What is the average rent in Springfield, MA?

According to HUD Fair Market Rent (FMR) benchmarks for 2026, standard monthly rents in Springfield, MA are $1,219 for a studio, $1,382 for 1 bedroom, $1,734 for 2 bedrooms, $2,127 for 3 bedrooms, and $2,296 for 4 bedrooms.

How does the cost of living in Springfield, MA compare to the national average?

Based on the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parity index, the general price level in Springfield, MA is 96.1 (3.9% lower than the U.S. national baseline of 100.0).

How much do you need to earn to comfortably afford rent in Springfield, MA?

Under the standard 30% housing affordability standard, renting a median 2-bedroom home ($1,734/month) in Springfield, MA requires a minimum gross household income of $69,360 per year ($5,780 per month).

What is a balanced 50/30/20 monthly budget in Springfield, MA?

For a typical household earning the median income of $52,656/year ($4,388/month) in Springfield, MA, a balanced 50/30/20 budget allocates $2,194/month to essential needs (rent, utilities, groceries), $1,316/month to discretionary spending, and $878/month to savings and debt repayment.

What are typical electricity and utility costs in Springfield, MA?

Residential electricity rates in Massachusetts average 29.6¢ per kWh according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). For an average home using 900 kWh per month, the estimated electric bill is approximately $266 per month.