Moving from Springfield to St. Louis (2026)

St. Louis has a COL index of 87 vs 98 for Springfield (100 = US average). You'd pay about 11% less for the same lifestyle.

Save ~$169/mo
on rent + taxes ยท $75K salary baseline

Change cities

Key differences

COL index
98 โ†’ 87
100 = US avg
1BR rent
$1,450 โ†’ $1,300
per month
State tax
5% โ†’ 4.7%
income tax
COL difference
98 โ†’ 87
11% cheaper

Salary needed in St. Louis to match your Springfield lifestyle

Based on the 11% cost of living decrease between the two cities.

Your salary in SpringfieldEquivalent in St. Louis
$40K$35,510
$50K$44,388
$60K$53,265
$75K$66,582
$80K$71,020
$100K$88,776
$120K$106,531
$150K$133,163

๐Ÿ’ต Household income (before tax)

$75K
$
$30K$300K
Save ~$197/moon core expenses at $75K

Monthly budget at $75K โ€” Springfield vs St. Louis

ExpenseSpringfieldSt. Louis
Monthly take-home$4,428$4,447
1BR rent$1,450$1,300
Groceries$391$369
Transport$72$75
Utilities$185$162
Internet$65$60
Left after essentials$2,265$2,481

30-Year Wealth Builder

If you invest your monthly savings of $197 in a low-cost index fund (7% avg return), you'd accumulate an extra:

$240,334

over 30 years compared to staying in Springfield โ€” that's the real price of a city.

$197/mo invested

Frequently asked questions

Is St. Louis cheaper than Springfield?

Yes. St. Louis has a cost of living index of 87 vs 98 for Springfield (100 = US average). That's about 11% cheaper.

How much will I save moving from Springfield to St. Louis?

On a $75K salary, moving from Springfield to St. Louis saves roughly $169/month on core expenses. That's ~$2,028/year.

What salary do I need in St. Louis to match my Springfield lifestyle?

To maintain the same purchasing power as $75,000 in Springfield, you'd need roughly $66,582/year in St. Louis. This is based on the overall COL index difference.

Estimates based on Q1 2026 COL index and market data. Budget uses simplified federal/state tax rates. Zillow ยท BLS ยท Numbeo ยท For general guidance only