Median rent is 33% lower in Springfield ($964/mo vs $1,440/mo). Buying is cheaper in Springfield, where the median home runs $177,700 versus $334,100. Households earn more in Chicago ($77,902 vs $49,311 a year). Taken together, Springfield is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 90.1 against 102.5 — about 12% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in Chicago, IL.
Cost of living verdict
Springfield is 12% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 90.1 in Springfield vs 102.5 in Chicago (US national average = 100)
City A
Chicago, IL
City B
Springfield, MO
How much would you need to earn in Springfield, MO to maintain your standard of living from Chicago, IL?
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MO
$65,929
You could earn $9,071 less (12% lower) and break even.
Based on BEA Regional Price Parity (cost index) for each metro area. This estimates overall purchasing power; it does not account for taxes or take-home pay differences.
Metric
Chicago
Illinois
Springfield
Missouri
Population
Median Household Income
Annual
Median Gross Rent
Per month
Median Home Value
Cost of Living Index
US avg = 100
1BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
2BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
3BR Fair Market Rent
HUD FMR
Air Quality Index
Lower = cleaner
Top State Income Tax
Top marginal rate
State Sales Tax
Statewide base rate
Median Age
Years
✓ = better value · Sources: Census ACS, BEA, HUD Fair Market Rents, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation
Renters will find significantly cheaper housing in Springfield — median rent of $964/mo versus $1,440/mo in Chicago, a 33% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in Chicago: the median home is $334,100 versus $177,700 in Springfield — 47% more expensive.
Metric
Chicago
Springfield
Software Developer
Registered Nurse
Elementary Teacher
Electrician
Accountant
Higher wage highlighted · BLS OEWS 2023 (metro-level data)
State tax data is not yet available for these cities.
Chicago
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Springfield
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Chicago has cleaner air on average: 31.0 AQI (Good) compared to 41.0 AQI (Good) in the other city. Lower AQI means cleaner, healthier air.
Pick Springfield if you prioritize lower overall cost of living (index 90.1 vs 102.5).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize higher median household income ($77,902/yr).
Pick Springfield if you prioritize cheaper rent ($964/mo median).
Pick Chicago if you prioritize cleaner air quality (avg AQI 31.0).
Springfield is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 90.1 versus 102.5 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 12% lower in Springfield.
Median rent is $1,440/mo in Chicago, IL and $964/mo in Springfield, MO. Springfield, MO has the lower rent by about 33%.
Median household income is $77,902 in Chicago, IL and $49,311 in Springfield, MO. Chicago, IL has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Chicago, IL has better air quality on average: 31.0 AQI versus 41.0 AQI. Both are EPA AirNow annual averages; lower is better.
State tax data is not yet available for one or both cities.
To maintain the same purchasing power, a salary of $100,000 in Chicago, IL is equivalent to roughly $87,906 in Springfield, MO (using the BEA Regional Price Parity ratio). Use the salary calculator above for any income amount.
Data last updated: June 1, 2026 · Sources: US Census ACS, BEA RPP, BLS OEWS, HUD FMR, EPA AirNow, Tax Foundation · Methodology
