Median rent is 47% lower in Springfield ($964/mo vs $1,821/mo). Buying is cheaper in Springfield, where the median home runs $177,700 versus $777,600. Households earn more in New York ($80,483 vs $49,311 a year). Taken together, Springfield is the more affordable choice with a cost index of 90.1 against 112.6 — about 20% lower overall prices. After adjusting income for local prices, a typical paycheck stretches further in New York, NY.
Cost of living verdict
Springfield is 20% cheaper overall
Cost of Living Index: 90.1 in Springfield vs 112.6 in New York (US national average = 100)
City A
New York, NY
City B
Springfield, MO
How much would you need to earn in Springfield, MO to maintain your standard of living from New York, NY?
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MO
$59,983
You could earn $15,017 less (20% 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
New York
New York
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 $1,821/mo in New York, a 47% difference. Home buyers face a steeper market in New York: the median home is $777,600 versus $177,700 in Springfield — 77% more expensive.
Metric
New York
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.
New York
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Springfield
Income tax: N/A
Sales tax: N/A
Springfield has cleaner air on average: 41.0 AQI (Good) compared to 46.0 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 112.6).
Pick New York if you prioritize higher median household income ($80,483/yr).
Pick Springfield if you prioritize cheaper rent ($964/mo median).
Springfield is cheaper overall, with a cost of living index of 90.1 versus 112.6 (US average = 100). That means prices run about 20% lower in Springfield.
Median rent is $1,821/mo in New York, NY and $964/mo in Springfield, MO. Springfield, MO has the lower rent by about 47%.
Median household income is $80,483 in New York, NY and $49,311 in Springfield, MO. New York, NY has the higher median income. Note that BLS occupational wages in the table above show wages for specific jobs.
Springfield, MO has better air quality on average: 41.0 AQI versus 46.0 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 New York, NY is equivalent to roughly $79,978 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
