States › Missouri › Springfield

Is Springfield, MO expensive to live in?

OKRent takes 26 cents of every $1 people earn here.
🏠 Rent per month (2026)$1,16933% lower than U.S. average
💵 Families earn per year (2026)$53,182about $4,432/month · 39% lower than U.S. average
🔑 House price$177,70047% lower than U.S. average

Springfield is the 3rd-largest city in Missouri that we track, with 169,954 residents. Rent is lower than in 78% of U.S. cities. A typical house costs about 3.3 years of household income. Commutes are short, about 17.6 minutes. Most households rent (56%), so there are plenty of rental options.

How much money do I need?

To rent here comfortably, you should earn about $46,760 a year. That is $22 an hour at a full-time job.

Is rent cheaper than other Missouri cities?

Yes. Rent here is cheaper than in most of Missouri. It is number 57 of 142 cities from cheapest to most expensive.

Springfield
$1,169
$1,357
$1,297
$1,894

How much do households earn in Springfield?

Under $25k
21.5%
$25k–50k
31.0%
$50k–100k
29.6%
$100k–150k
7.4%
$150k+
3.9%

Share of households by yearly income. 11.3% of households earn $100,000 or more.

Rent by apartment size in Springfield

SizeSpringfieldU.S. average
Studio$845$1,338
1 bedroom$892$1,324
2 bedrooms$1,075$1,509
3 bedrooms$1,355$1,698
4 bedrooms$1,521$2,098

Median monthly rent plus utilities for all renters, by number of bedrooms.

How expensive is Springfield overall?

Everyday prices in the Springfield metro area are 11% below the U.S. average (index 88.6, U.S. = 100).

Housing
66
Goods (food, clothes…)
94
Utilities
86
Other services
93
U.S. average
100

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities 2024.

Taxes and bills in Springfield

🏛️ Property tax$1,326a year · 0.75% of home value · U.S. $3,119
⚡ Electric bill$153a month (typical) · U.S. $156

Life in Springfield

Commute to work17.6 minU.S.: 26.4 min
College degree31.4%U.S.: 35.7%
Own their home43.9%U.S.: 65.2%
Below poverty line18.4%U.S.: 12.5%
Unemployment4.3%U.S.: 5.2%

What jobs pay in Springfield

JobMedian payRent / pay
Pharmacist$134,99010.4%
Physician Assistant$129,27010.9%
Nurse Practitioner$125,63011.2%
Lawyer$103,79013.5%
Software Developer$102,35013.7%
Dental Hygienist$85,84016.3%
Civil Engineer$82,80016.9%
Registered Nurse$79,37017.7%
Computer Systems Analyst$78,20017.9%
Operations Manager$76,29018.4%
Accountant$73,02019.2%
Plumber$61,41022.8%
Licensed Practical Nurse$61,35022.9%
Police Officer$58,46024.0%
Market Research Analyst$57,28024.5%
Electrician$56,59024.8%
HVAC Technician$56,41024.9%
Truck Driver$56,07025.0%
Carpenter$52,00027.0%
Elementary School Teacher$49,38028.4%
Firefighter$44,99031.2%
Customer Service Representative$38,97036.0%
Warehouse Worker$38,36036.6%
Medical Assistant$37,87037.0%
Nursing Assistant$36,18038.8%
Restaurant Cook$35,10040.0%
Retail Salesperson$31,76044.2%
Cashier$29,72047.2%
Server (Waiter/Waitress)$29,35047.8%

Is it cheaper to rent or buy in Springfield?

Renting is cheaper right now: about $64 a month less.

Renting
$1,169
Owning
$1,233

Owning assumes a typical $177,700 home, 10% down, a 30-year loan at 6.5% and about 1.5% a year for taxes and insurance. You would also need $17,770 for the down payment.

Frequently asked questions

What is the average rent in Springfield, MO?

Renting in Springfield costs a median of about $1,169 a month in 2026, including utilities. The Missouri median is $1,285.

How much do I need to make to live in Springfield?

To keep rent under 30% of income, you need about $46,760 a year, or $22 an hour at a full-time job.

Is Springfield cheap or expensive?

Springfield is rated OK: rent takes 26.4% of the typical household income of $53,182. It ranks 57th cheapest of 142 Missouri cities we track.

How much are property taxes in Springfield?

The median homeowner in Springfield pays $1,326 a year in property taxes, about 0.75% of the median home value.

Is Springfield more expensive than the national average?

Overall prices in the metro area are 11% below the U.S. average, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

How much does a house cost in Springfield?

The median home value in Springfield is $177,700, about 3.3 times the typical yearly household income.

169,954 people live in Springfield. Numbers are typical (middle) values.