City Comparison
Wentzville vs Springfield
Cost of living, salaries, climate and quality of life compared side by side.
VS
Wentzville scores higher overall
Performance
Score Breakdown
Wentzville
Springfield
Livability
Affordability
Business
Growth
Expenses
Cost of Living
Springfield is the more affordable option overall — monthly living expenses run about
9% lower than in Wentzville.
Housing costs are a major driver: Wentzville's average rent is
20% higher than Springfield's.
| Metric | Wentzville | Springfield | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | $1,345 | $1,121 | +20% |
| Groceries | $410 | $400 | +3% |
| Utilities | $175 | $180 | -3% |
| Transport | $125 | $120 | +4% |
| Healthcare | $230 | $250 | -8% |
| Monthly Total | $2,285 | $2,071 | +10% |
| Cost Index | 102 | 90 | out of 100 |
Income
Salary & Income
Wentzville offers 35% higher average salaries.
However, when adjusted for local cost of living, Wentzville delivers stronger purchasing power —
meaning your dollar stretches further day-to-day.
The minimum comfortable salary in Wentzville is estimated at
$60,000 vs $67,000 in Springfield.
| Metric | Wentzville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Average Salary | $74,000 | $55,000 |
| Salary Needed | $60,000 | $67,000 |
| Purchasing Power | 72,549 idx | 61,111 idx |
| Household Income | $112,394 | $49,311 |
Weather
Climate Comparison
Wentzville runs warmer on average — a 56.8°F difference year-round.
For sunshine, Wentzville comes out ahead with 259 more sunny days per year,
which can meaningfully impact mood and outdoor lifestyle.
Winter severity differs too — Wentzville sees 20.3 more inches of snowfall annually.
| Metric | Wentzville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Avg Temp | 56.80°F | °F |
| Summer High | 85.90°F | °F |
| Winter Low | 23.10°F | °F |
| Rainfall | 40.80 in | in |
| Snowfall | 20.30 in | in |
| Sunny Days | 259 | |
| Humidity | 65.00% | 69.00% |
Mobility
Commute & Transport
Springfield has the shorter commute — saving residents roughly
6,000 minutes (100 hours) per year compared to Wentzville.
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 | Wentzville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Commute Time | 28 min | 16 min |
| Transit Score | 35.0/100 | 45.0/100 |
| Walkability | 42.0/100 | 50.0/100 |
| Traffic Index | 52.00 | 30.00 |
| Car Dependency | High | Medium |
Population
Economy & Demographics
Springfield is the larger city
— approximately 0.3x the population of Wentzville.
From a growth perspective, Wentzville is expanding faster, signaling stronger demand for housing, jobs, and services.
On the employment side, Wentzville has a lower unemployment rate, reflecting a tighter and more competitive job market.
| Metric | Wentzville | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 48,646 | 170,117 |
| Pop. Growth | 1.64% | 0.16% |
| Median Age | 36.5 | 33.7 |
| Unemployment | 3.40% | 3.60% |
| GDP | — | $29.3B |
At a Glance
Pros & Cons
Wentzville
Advantages
Median household income stands at a robust $112,394, well above national and state averages per Census data.
Consistently ranked among the safest mid-sized cities in the state of Missouri.
High homeownership rate of 82.5% reflecting a stable, family-oriented community.
Exceptional local public schools managed by the well-regarded Wentzville R-IV School District.
Strategic location along major transit corridors providing smooth regional connectivity.
Drawbacks
High level of car dependency with limited public transit infrastructure.
Peak-hour traffic congestion along major highway arteries commuting toward St. Louis.
Rapid growth has put upward pressure on local real estate and property tax values.
Limited dense urban nightlife or entertainment options within city limits.
Cold winter conditions with notable snowfall requiring winter preparedness.
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.
Wentzville
#50Missouri, USA
70.6 / 100 overall
Avg Rent
$1,345
Avg Salary
$74,000
Cost Index
102
Commute
28 min
Transit Score
35.0/100
Walkability
42.0/100
Sunny Days
259/yr
Avg Temp
56.80°F
Pop. Growth
1.64%
Unemployment
3.40%
Livability
82
Business
74
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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