Performance
Score Breakdown
Springfield
St. Louis
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run approximately
13% lower compared to St. Louis.
Housing costs are a major driver: Springfield's average rent is
22% lower than St. Louis's.
| Metric | Springfield | St. Louis | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,121 | $1,439 | -22% |
| Groceries | $400 | $385 | +4% |
| Utilities | $180 | $195 | -8% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $250 | $250 | 0% |
| Monthly Total | $2,071 | $2,389 | -13% |
| Cost Index | 90 | 89 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Springfield offers 22% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Springfield delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Springfield is estimated at
$67,000 vs $55,000 in St. Louis.
| Metric | Springfield | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $55,000 | $45,000 |
| Salary Needed | $67,000 | $55,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 61,111 idx | 50,562 idx |
| Household Income | $49,311 | $56,160 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Both cities share a similar average temperature, within 0°F of each other.
| Metric | Springfield | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | °F | °F |
| Summer High | °F | °F |
| Winter Low | °F | °F |
| Rainfall | in | in |
| Snowfall | in | in |
| Sunny Days | ||
| Humidity | 69.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to St. Louis.
St. Louis scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, St. Louis leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | Springfield | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 16 min | 28 min |
| Transit Score | 45.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Walkability | 50.0/10 | 55.0/10 |
| Traffic Index | 30.00 | 25.00 |
| Car Dependency | Medium | High |
Population
Economy & Demographics
St. Louis is the larger city
— approximately 0.6x the population of Springfield.
From a growth perspective, Springfield is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Springfield has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Springfield | St. Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 170,117 | 273,179 |
| Pop. Growth | 0.16% | % |
| Median Age | 33.7 | 36.8 |
| Unemployment | 3.60% | 4.00% |
| GDP | $29.3B | $0.0B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Springfield
Advantages
The cost of living in Springfield is 8-12% below the national average, with significant savings in housing, utilities, and groceries.
Housing is highly affordable, with a median home value of $208,223 in 2026, making homeownership more accessible.
The average commute time is short, at just 16 minutes, enhancing daily convenience for residents.
Springfield has a diversified and growing economy, with strong sectors in healthcare and manufacturing.
The city is a regional healthcare hub with highly-rated hospitals like Mercy Hospital Springfield, which received a Leapfrog A rating in 2024 and 2025.
Drawbacks
Healthcare costs in Springfield are reported to be 6-11.5% above the national average.
The median household income of $49,311 (2024) is lower than the national median.
Springfield received a low safety score of 26 out of 100 in Livability's 2026 ranking.
The city experiences varied and sometimes extreme weather, including muggy summers and cold, snowy winters.
While a regional hub, the city's population diversity is lower compared to many other U.S. cities.
St. Louis
Advantages
The average rent in St. Louis is significantly lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to live.
Housing costs, including median home prices, are considerably below the national average.
St. Louis offers numerous free cultural attractions, such as the Saint Louis Zoo, Art Museum, and Gateway Arch grounds.
The city has a strong presence of major academic health systems and a well-established medical corridor, contributing to quality healthcare.
Investments are being made in improving bike infrastructure, including new protected bike lanes and greenways.
Drawbacks
St. Louis city has experienced a declining population, with an estimated annual decrease of -1.79% in 2026.
The city has a high crime rate, particularly violent crime, which is significantly above the national average.
Summers in St. Louis are characterized by intense heat and high humidity.
A high percentage of city residents (21.7%) live below the poverty line, indicating significant economic disparities.
St. Louis exhibits high car dependency, with nearly 90% of commuters using a car for work or school.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
Springfield
#14Missouri, USA
75.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,121
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
45.0/10
Walkability
50.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.16%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
78
Business
68
St. Louis
#94Missouri, USA
65.0 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,439
Avg Salary
$45,000
Cost Index
89
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
55.0/10
Walkability
55.0/10
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
%
Unemployment
4.00%
Livability
60
Business
68
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