Springfield, MO Relocation Guide (2026)
Cost of living, housing, and income data for Springfield, sourced from the US Census Bureau.
Salary needed to live in Springfield →
Source: US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022). Last updated July 2026.
Roughly 168,873 people call Springfield, Missouri home. Household income runs $43,450 at the median, below what we see across the broader set of cities (-40%).
Housing costs are a defining factor for anyone relocating to Springfield. The median home value sits at $146,400 (below the multi-city median at -55%), while renters pay a median of $878 per month. Buyers should weigh current mortgage rates and local property taxes against these figures before committing.
Springfield's home-price-to-income ratio of about 3.4× puts it in affordable territory — income here stretches further toward a home purchase than in many cities we track. Year-over-year, home values around Springfield are up 2.52%, a pace in line with a healthy, unremarkable market. FEMA classifies Springfield's hazard risk as Relatively Moderate, a comparatively low rating among the cities we track.
Personal Affordability Check
Renting at $878/mo in Springfield would take 24.2% of your income.
$208/mo under the 30% guideline.
Buying the median home ($146,400) would take 21.6% of your income toward principal & interest.
$232/mo under the 28% guideline.
Cost of housing in Springfield
Median home value is $146,400 and median gross rent is $878/month. For buyers, monthly costs depend heavily on current mortgage rates — worth checking before you commit.
FHFA's county-level home price index for Greene rose 2.52% over the past year (as of 2025).
HUD's FY 2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit in the surrounding county is $1,095/month.
Climate & home insurance
FEMA rates Springfield's overall natural-hazard risk as Relatively Moderate. Risk level is a major driver of home insurance premiums.
Safety
Springfield reported a violent crime rate of 1233.1 per 100,000 residents in 2025, per FBI data.
Moving to Springfield
Planning a move to Springfield? Compare licensed movers and get quotes based on your origin and move date.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the cost of living in Springfield, MO?
- Springfield's key cost-of-living figures: $146,400 median home value, $878 median monthly rent, and $43,450 median household income, per the US Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022).
- How much do you need to earn to live comfortably in Springfield?
- Springfield's median rent of $878/month works out to roughly $35,120 in annual income needed, if you're budgeting the standard 30% of gross pay toward rent. See the full salary breakdown (renting and buying) for Springfield.
- Is it better to rent or buy in Springfield?
- Renting in Springfield at the median $878/month calls for about $35,120 a year under the standard 30% guideline; buying the median home at $146,400 takes roughly $33,496 a year in principal and interest (20% down, 30-year fixed, current rates). Timeline and down payment usually decide which makes more sense.
- Is Springfield safe?
- In 2025, Springfield reported 1233.1 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, according to FBI data.
See the full salary breakdown for Springfield →
Cities with a similar cost of living
Matched on median rent and household income within 15% of Springfield's.