City Comparison

Springdale vs St. Louis

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springdale

Arkansas
87
Below Average
$299,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$62,100
Median Income

St. Louis

Missouri
90
Below Average
$175,000
Median Home
$1,000/mo
Median Rent
$45,782
Median Income

The Verdict

3.3%

The cost gap between these cities is 3.3%, with Springdale being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in Springdale has equivalent purchasing power to $77,586 in St. Louis.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
86
Springdale
72
St. Louis
Groceries
97
Springdale
97
St. Louis
Utilities
93
Springdale
95
St. Louis
Transportation
91
Springdale
103
St. Louis
Healthcare
82
Springdale
95
St. Louis

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springdale has the same purchasing power as $77,586 in St. Louis.

Conversely, $75,000 in St. Louis equals $72,500 in Springdale.

Living in Springdale vs St. Louis

Housing Costs

Springdale's housing index of 86 is higher St. Louis's 72, translating to median home prices of $299,000 vs $175,000. The $124,000 difference in home prices means roughly $8,064 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,000/mo in Springdale compared to $1,000/mo in St. Louis, a monthly difference of $0.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 97 in Springdale and 97 in St. Louis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $461/month in Springdale vs $461/month in St. Louis. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 93 in Springdale and 95 in St. Louis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $372 in Springdale vs $380 in St. Louis. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 82 in Springdale and 95 in St. Louis. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 13-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $62,100 in Springdale and $45,782 in St. Louis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $71,379 and $50,869 respectively. Springdale residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,449/month to housing in Springdale vs $1,068/month in St. Louis. In Springdale, median rent of $1,000/mo fits within this budget. In St. Louis, median rent of $1,000/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 14 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springdale is 3.3% more affordable overall with an index of 87 vs 90.
A $75,000 salary in Springdale has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $77,586 in St. Louis, based on the cost of living difference.
Springdale's housing index is 86 with median homes at $299,000, while St. Louis's is 72 with median homes at $175,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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