Cost of Living Hub

Data as of October 2026

Before I moved to the Ozarks, I ran the numbers. Housing, taxes, everyday spending, all of it. Then I checked them again.

These pages are that same process, set up so you can do it with your own income and your own home price instead of someone else’s average.

How these comparisons work

Each page compares Springfield with one city you might be leaving or considering moving to.

You enter your income, filing status, and home price, and the calculator shows what changes: state income tax, property tax, Missouri’s vehicle tax (personal property tax), sales tax, mortgage payments, and everyday costs.

The calculators use the same income in both cities, so they compare costs, not pay. That fits remote workers, retirees and anyone keeping their current job or income. If you’re taking a local job, pay in your field can differ between the two cities. Run a new scenario with the income you’d expect there, and read that city’s column.

The data comes from government sources (the Census Bureau, the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Federal Reserve and Greene County), plus Zillow’s home value index, Avalara sales tax rates and Freddie Mac mortgage rates. Each page lists exactly what it used and when. So, these numbers are better than just ballpark figures. But please don’t consider these numbers as the Gospel, either. Your spending could change, and so too could housing costs and other costs.

Look at this as a starting point — and a pretty good one, I think. And then take it from there with your own research.

Pick your starting or comparable city

More comparisons are on the way.

What the numbers can’t tell you

A cheaper cost of living isn’t automatically a better move, and it isn’t always cheaper. No income tax states get the headlines, but are they really less expensive overall? Answer: not always.

Springfield is a much smaller metro than many places people are coming from, so the job market, airports, and amenities look different.

Home prices deserve a caveat, too. Missouri doesn’t publicly report sale prices, so the calculators don’t use sold prices.

Instead, the calculators pair your home price with a comparable single-family home in Springfield, using Zillow’s home value index for each metro area. Zillow estimates those values from property records and its own models. Treat the pairing as a starting point, not a match for any one house. You can enter your own home price, or switch to a same-budget comparison.

Property tax uses county medians from the Census Bureau. Those reflect what current owners pay, so a buyer at today’s prices may pay more.

Finally, the calculators leave out federal taxes, insurance, HOA fees, maintenance, and vehicle registration and local vehicle fees. Those vary by household and can change the comparison.

Looking beyond Springfield?

Springfield is the biggest and best-known part of the Ozarks, but it isn’t the only option.

Branson, West Plains, Mountain Home, and plenty of small communities offer a different mix of cost, space, and lifestyle. The Moving to the Ozarks article walks through them, including the Missouri vs Arkansas side of the Ozarks.

Don’t see your city?

Tell me which city you’re comparing against and I’ll build the most requested ones next. Email me the city.

These are estimates, not tax or financial advice. Income tax uses 2025 tax-year rules, and rates change, so check with a tax professional for your own return.