Decatur, NE vs Springfield, NE

The cost of living difference between Decatur, NE and Springfield, NE is dramatic. Decatur is 40.4% cheaper than Springfield, a gap that translates to thousands of dollars per year in household expenses. Decatur has a cost index of 51 while Springfield sits at 86, making this one of the more striking comparisons on our site. Relocating between these cities would require a serious reassessment of budget and lifestyle expectations.

On the housing front, median rent in Decatur is $433/month compared to $1,137/month in Springfield — a 62% difference. Home values follow the same pattern: Decatur is more affordable at $78,800 median vs $237,300.

Median household income in Decatur is $49,028 compared to $92,153 in Springfield (-46.8%). While Springfield is more expensive, its higher salaries more than compensate — residents there may actually end up with more disposable income. Looking at affordability, residents of Decatur spend roughly 10.6% of their income on rent, less than the 14.8% in Springfield.

Climate-wise, both cities share similar average temperatures (50.1°F vs 52.4°F). Springfield receives more rainfall at 31.9" per year compared to 28.3" in Decatur.