Equalization of public services is an important measure to solve people’s livelihood problems in China, and it is also a basic way to realize the strategy of common prosperity. Starting from the connotation of the concept, this paper constructs a multidimensional measurement index system of public service equalization and common prosperity, and uses entropy weight method to measure the level of public service equalization and common prosperity of 31 provinces in China from 2010 to 2021. The influence of equalization of public services on common prosperity and regional differences and spatial spillover effects are analyzed by the dynamic spatial Durbin model. The results show that the overall level of public service equalization and common prosperity in China is not high, and the distribution pattern of the two in absolute total is “high in the east and low in the west”, which corresponds to the law of decreasing marginal productivity in terms of relative increment. The equalization of public services has a significant promoting effect on common prosperity both in the short term and in the long term. Regional differences regulate the effect of equalization of public services on common prosperity. Compared with the central region, the promotion effect of equalization of public services on common prosperity in the eastern region is stronger, while the promotion effect is weaker in the western region. Common prosperity has a significant positive spatial spillover effect, and the common prosperity level in each province is positively affected by the common prosperity level of neighboring regions. Therefore, taking multiple measures to ensure equal access to basic public services, tapping into policy potential in light of local conditions, bringing into play the role of equalization of public services in promoting common prosperity of different region, strengthening counterpart assistance and giving play to the neighborhood effect of common prosperity are important policy choices to carry out the strategic principle of “prior prosperity and common prosperity”.