Springfield vs St. Louis
Cost of Living Comparison · 2026
Springfield
St. Louis
The Verdict
Springfield is 6.7% less expensive than St. Louis overall. A household earning $75,000 in Springfield would need approximately $80,357 in St. Louis to maintain the same standard of living.
Category-by-Category Breakdown
Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable
Salary Equivalence
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $80,357 in St. Louis.
Conversely, $75,000 in St. Louis equals $70,000 in Springfield.
Living in Springfield vs St. Louis
Housing Costs
Springfield's housing index of 67 is lower St. Louis's 72, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $175,000. The $50,000 difference in home prices means roughly $3,252 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Springfield compared to $1,000/mo in St. Louis, a monthly difference of $50.
Grocery & Food Costs
Grocery expenses index at 94 in Springfield and 97 in St. Louis. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Springfield 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 79 in Springfield and 95 in St. Louis. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Springfield vs $380 in St. Louis. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.
Healthcare
Healthcare costs index at 116 in Springfield and 95 in St. Louis. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 21-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.
Income & Purchasing Power
Median household income is $46,000 in Springfield and $45,782 in St. Louis. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,762 and $50,869 respectively. Springfield residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.
Relocation Considerations
Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,073/month to housing in Springfield vs $1,068/month in St. Louis. In Springfield, median rent of $950/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 Healthcare, where the gap is 21 index points — focus your budget analysis there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moving & Relocation Resources
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