Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Springfield, IL (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Springfield

Illinois
61

St. Louis is 8% more expensive than Springfield.

$978/mo ↑ 3%
Median Rent
$945/mo ↓ 3%
$55,279/yr ↓ 16%
Median Income
$65,537/yr ↑ 19%
$185,100 ↑ 19%
Home Value
$155,200 ↓ 16%
$1,013/mo ↑ 4%
Owner Costs
$974/mo ↓ 4%
293,109
Population
113,714

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
4.95%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.25%
0.93%
Property Tax
2.07%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
17.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Springfield, IL, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $10,258/year higher in Springfield. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $155,200 in Springfield.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Springfield — common questions

Is St. Louis or Springfield cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Springfield is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Springfield?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Springfield it's $945/month — a difference of $33/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Springfield?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $65,537 in Springfield. Median household income is $10,258/year higher in Springfield.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Illinois?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Illinois has 4.95% income tax, 6.25% sales tax, and 2.07% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Springfield?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Springfield has a cost index of 61 with rent of $945/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Springfield details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Springfield

St. Louis vs. Greensboro St. Louis vs. Lincoln St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh St. Louis vs. Jersey City St. Louis vs. Newark St. Louis vs. Anchorage Springfield vs. Odessa Springfield vs. Beaumont Springfield vs. Elgin Springfield vs. Gresham Springfield vs. Provo Springfield vs. Las Cruces