Springfield MO vs St. Louis MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Springfield, MO
Missouri · Population: 169,432
- Median HH Income$45,984
- Median Home Price$245,279
- Unemployment4.3%
- Bachelor's+30.3%
St. Louis, MO
Missouri · Population: 293,109
- Median HH Income$55,279
- Median Home Price$185,100
- Unemployment5.1%
- Bachelor's+40.2%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Springfield
169,432
St. Louis
293,109
St. Louis +
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Springfield
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
Median Age
Springfield
33.6
Springfield +
St. Louis
36.6
Foreign Born
Springfield
3.8%
St. Louis
6.6%
St. Louis +
White
Springfield
85.2%
Springfield +
St. Louis
45.7%
Black
Springfield
4.3%
St. Louis
43.1%
St. Louis +
Asian
Springfield
1.7%
St. Louis
3.4%
St. Louis +
Hispanic
Springfield
5.6%
Springfield +
St. Louis
5.1%
Spanish at Home
Springfield
N/A
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 169,432 | 293,109 | St. Louis + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 33.6 | 36.6 | Springfield + |
| Foreign Born | 3.8% | 6.6% | St. Louis + |
| White | 85.2% | 45.7% | Springfield + |
| Black | 4.3% | 43.1% | St. Louis + |
| Asian | 1.7% | 3.4% | St. Louis + |
| Hispanic | 5.6% | 5.1% | Springfield + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Springfield
$45,984
St. Louis
$55,279
St. Louis +
Per Capita Income
Springfield
$30,864
St. Louis
$38,947
St. Louis +
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Springfield
$58,527
St. Louis
$58,527
Tie
Unemployment Rate
Springfield
4.3%
Springfield +
St. Louis
5.1%
Poverty Rate
Springfield
19.4%
Springfield +
St. Louis
19.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
Springfield
30.3%
St. Louis
40.2%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $45,984 | $55,279 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Income | $30,864 | $38,947 | St. Louis + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $58,527 | $58,527 | Tie |
| Unemployment Rate | 4.3% | 5.1% | Springfield + |
| Poverty Rate | 19.4% | 19.8% | Springfield + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 30.3% | 40.2% | St. Louis + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Springfield
$245,279
St. Louis
$185,100
St. Louis +
Homeownership Rate
Springfield
42.9%
St. Louis
45.4%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $245,279 | $185,100 | St. Louis + |
| Homeownership Rate | 42.9% | 45.4% | St. Louis + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
501
St. Louis
501
Tie
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Springfield
2418
St. Louis
2418
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 501 | 501 | Tie |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2418 | 2418 | Tie |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
37.7%
St. Louis
36.8%
St. Louis +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Springfield
11.1%
Springfield +
St. Louis
13.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Springfield
20.0%
St. Louis
18.8%
St. Louis +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Springfield
10.0%
St. Louis
9.4%
St. Louis +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Springfield
15.6%
Springfield +
St. Louis
17.9%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Springfield
17.1%
St. Louis
16.8%
St. Louis +
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.7% | 36.8% | St. Louis + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 11.1% | 13.2% | Springfield + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 20.0% | 18.8% | St. Louis + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 10.0% | 9.4% | St. Louis + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 15.6% | 17.9% | Springfield + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 17.1% | 16.8% | St. Louis + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
56.3°F
St. Louis
N/A
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Springfield
45.6 in
St. Louis
N/A
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 56.3°F | N/A | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 45.6 in | N/A | - |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Springfield
9.3 µg/m³
St. Louis
9.3 µg/m³
Tie
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Springfield
55.0%
St. Louis
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.3 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Tie |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Springfield
19.5 min
Springfield +
St. Louis
24.0 min
| Metric | Springfield, MO | St. Louis, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 19.5 min | 24.0 min | Springfield + |
Which City is Right for You?
St. Louis leads in median household income at $55,279, while st. Louis offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $185,100. On public safety, St. Louis is safer with a violent crime rate of 501 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Springfield. Springfield has a lower unemployment rate at 4.3%, and St. Louis has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, St. Louis scores better with a lower obesity rate of 36.8%.
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