City Comparison
St. Peters vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
St. Peters scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
St. Peters
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
17% lower than in St. Peters.
Housing costs are a major driver: St. Peters's average rent is
40% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | St. Peters | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,568 | $1,121 | +40% |
| Groceries | $400 | $400 | 0% |
| Utilities | $180 | $180 | 0% |
| Transport | $120 | $120 | 0% |
| Healthcare | $220 | $250 | -12% |
| Monthly Total | $2,488 | $2,071 | +20% |
| Cost Index | 96 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
St. Peters offers 31% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, St. Peters delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in St. Peters is estimated at
$58,000 vs $67,000 in Springfield.
| Metric | St. Peters | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $72,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $58,000 | $67,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 75,000 idx | 61,111 idx |
| Household Income | $91,637 | $49,311 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
St. Peters runs warmer on average — a 57.4°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, St. Peters comes out ahead with 256 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — St. Peters sees 19.7 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | St. Peters | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 57.40°F | °F |
| Summer High | 86.70°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.70°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 39.30 in | in |
| Snowfall | 19.70 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 256 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
5,000 minutes (83 hours) per year compared to St. Peters.
Springfield scores higher for public transit, making it the better choice for car-free living.
For walkability, Springfield leads — a better score here means more amenities reachable on foot.
| Metric | St. Peters | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 26 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 27.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 30.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 42.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.4x the population of St. Peters.
From a growth perspective, St. Peters is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, St. Peters has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | St. Peters | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 61,398 | 170,117 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.42% | 0.16% |
| Median Age | 41.0 | 33.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.50% | 3.60% |
| GDP | — | $29.3B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
St. Peters
Advantages
Median household income sits well above national benchmarks at approximately $91,637 per U.S. Census Bureau data.
Exceptional public safety profile with violent and property crime rates significantly below the national average.
World-class recreational infrastructure including the 236,000-square-foot St. Peters Rec-Plex and 370 Lakeside Park.
Proximity to major medical centers like Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital and associated Siteman Cancer facilities.
Strategic location along Interstate 70 providing smooth transit access into the greater St. Louis metropolitan job market.
Drawbacks
High car dependency with a low transit score, making personal vehicles essential for daily commuting and errands.
Housing inventory can be tight, leading to competitive home purchasing conditions and rising property values.
Limited urban nightlife and entertainment options within city limits, requiring trips into St. Louis for major cultural events.
Modest public transportation infrastructure with minimal fixed-route bus service inside the municipality.
Summer humidity and temperature peaks can occasionally limit comfortable outdoor daytime recreation.
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.
Explore
Dive Deeper
Key figures side by side — see which city wins each category at a glance.
St. Peters
#36Missouri, USA
71.5 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,568
Avg Salary
$72,000
Cost Index
96
Commute
26 min
Transit Score
27.0/100
Walkability
30.0/100
Sunny Days
256/yr
Avg Temp
57.40°F
Pop. Growth
1.42%
Unemployment
3.50%
Livability
82
Business
72
Springfield
#591Missouri, USA
43.3 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,121
Avg Salary
$55,000
Cost Index
90
Commute
16 min
Transit Score
45.0/100
Walkability
50.0/100
Sunny Days
/yr
Avg Temp
°F
Pop. Growth
0.16%
Unemployment
3.60%
Livability
78
Business
68
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