City Comparison

Springfield vs Tampa

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

Springfield

Missouri
84
Very Affordable
$225,000
Median Home
$950/mo
Median Rent
$46,000
Median Income

Tampa

Florida
102
Average
$340,000
Median Home
$1,700/mo
Median Rent
$52,594
Median Income

The Verdict

17.6%

Living in Springfield costs 17.6% less than Tampa. To match the purchasing power of a $75,000 salary in Springfield, you would need $91,071 in Tampa.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

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

Housing
67
Springfield
108
Tampa
Groceries
94
Springfield
103
Tampa
Utilities
79
Springfield
96
Tampa
Transportation
90
Springfield
105
Tampa
Healthcare
116
Springfield
97
Tampa

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Springfield has the same purchasing power as $91,071 in Tampa.

Conversely, $75,000 in Tampa equals $61,765 in Springfield.

Living in Springfield vs Tampa

Housing Costs

Springfield's housing index of 67 is lower Tampa's 108, translating to median home prices of $225,000 vs $340,000. The $115,000 difference in home prices means roughly $7,476 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $950/mo in Springfield compared to $1,700/mo in Tampa, a monthly difference of $750.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 94 in Springfield and 103 in Tampa. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $447/month in Springfield vs $489/month in Tampa. Springfield offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $504/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 79 in Springfield and 96 in Tampa. Monthly utility bills average approximately $316 in Springfield vs $384 in Tampa. 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 97 in Tampa. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 19-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 $52,594 in Tampa. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $54,762 and $51,563 respectively. Springfield residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite lower nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,073/month to housing in Springfield vs $1,227/month in Tampa. In Springfield, median rent of $950/mo fits within this budget. In Tampa, median rent of $1,700/mo pushes past the recommended limit. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 41 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Springfield is 17.6% more affordable overall with an index of 84 vs 102.
A $75,000 salary in Springfield has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $91,071 in Tampa, based on the cost of living difference.
Springfield's housing index is 67 with median homes at $225,000, while Tampa's is 108 with median homes at $340,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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