Springfield, MO vs Nashville, TN: Cost of Living Comparison
Considering a move, and debating between Nashville and Springfield? Or thinking about moving from Nashville to the Ozarks? Here you can compare the cost of living in Springfield, MO vs Nashville, TN, including housing, income taxes, property taxes, sales taxes, and everyday expenses.
Use the calculator below to see how the numbers compare.
What people compare
Cost of living detail
What is personal property tax?
Missouri taxes movable property you own every year, mainly vehicles, boats, RVs and trailers. Real estate is taxed separately. You report what you own to the county assessor, and the bill is due by December 31.
The assessed value is one-third of the item's trade-in value, and the local tax rate, expressed per $100 of assessed value, is applied to that. Springfield's rate for 2025 is $4.982 per $100.
Tennessee does not charge personal property tax on vehicles, so Nashville shows none. This calculator assumes vehicles only. If you own a boat, RV or trailer, add its value to "Value of your vehicles" under Adjust these assumptions.
Where the year goes
Taxes and housing payments only. Everyday costs are excluded.
Costs by category
How your income is treated
Estimates for comparison, not tax advice. Missouri income tax uses 2025 tax-year brackets and the 2025 standard deduction; Tennessee has no personal income tax.
Sales tax rates are 2026 combined state, county and city rates. Springfield's is the base rate from Avalara's rate tables, before special districts, which can add up to 2.5 points. Nashville's 9.75% is the 7% state rate plus 2.75% for Davidson County, which includes a 0.5-point increase for transit that took effect February 1, 2025. Property tax rates are county median effective rates from the Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (Greene County for Springfield, Davidson County for Nashville). They reflect what current owners pay, so a buyer at today's prices may pay more, since assessments lag market values between reappraisals. For a real quote, use the county's total levy rate and your price.
Similar-home pricing scales your Nashville price by the ratio of Zillow's typical single-family home values for each metro area on August 31, 2026: $459,688 for Nashville and $272,534 for Springfield. Zillow estimates these values from property records and its own models, not from sold prices. A metro area includes the suburbs, and no index matches any one house, so treat the result as a starting point. Property tax rates use county figures, which cover less area than a metro. The home price field starts at the metro's typical value, rounded to the nearest $5,000.
Price indexes are the Bureau of Economic Analysis's Regional Price Parities for 2024 (released February 2026), where 100 is the U.S. average. Springfield uses the Springfield metro area and Nashville uses the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin metro area. BEA does not publish indexes for individual cities, so each figure describes a metro area. The everyday-cost index blends the goods and other-services indexes, weighted about 37% and 63%, which is how BEA's own metro figures break down. It leaves out tenant rents, so housing is not counted twice. The index excludes taxes, so sales tax is added separately. Missouri and Tennessee both tax groceries at lower rates than other purchases; this estimate does not split that out. Not included: federal taxes, insurance, HOA fees or maintenance.
Missouri charges an annual personal property tax on vehicles, boats, RVs, trailers and similar property, and this calculator assumes vehicles only. The tax is one-third of the item's trade-in value, multiplied by the local rate per $100 of assessed value, due each December. Springfield's rate of $4.982 per $100 is the 2025 total levy for the Springfield R-12 district (the city, Springfield schools and county levies, no fire district) from the Greene County Clerk. Other districts, such as Nixa or Republic, differ. The default vehicle value is the Federal Reserve's 2022 Survey of Consumer Finances median for families that own vehicles ($27,700). Greene County households average about two cars, close to the national average, so no local adjustment is made. Missouri assesses trade-in value, which usually runs below market value, so this may run high. Tennessee does not charge personal property tax on vehicles. Not included: registration fees, local vehicle fees, or sales tax paid when a vehicle is bought.
Everyday spending starts as an estimate from your total income, using the Bureau of Labor Statistics' 2024 Consumer Expenditure Survey. The average U.S. household spent $40,180 outside housing on food, transportation, healthcare, clothing, entertainment, personal care, education and similar items. That leaves out housing, retirement and Social Security contributions, and cash gifts, which are not everyday purchases. The estimate scales that figure to your income using the survey's five income groups, and assumes every group spends the same share of its budget on these items. It describes an average household at your income, not you, so type your own number if you know it.
Springfield, MO vs Nashville, TN: What Stands Out
What Does Your Housing Budget Buy?
One of the biggest differences in Springfield, MO vs Nashville, TN is housing.
According to Zillow, the average home value in Davidson County, Tennessee (Nashville’s county) is about 65% more than the average home value in Greene County, Missouri (Springfield’s county). Note that this is a snapshot and values will change.
If you’re considering a move, don’t compare home prices alone. Look at square footage, lot size, property condition, and location to get the most value.
Taxes
Taxes are another important part of the comparison.
Missouri’s top individual tax rate is 4.7%. Tennessee has no individual state income tax. Now, whether taxes are the main driver of moves — that’s up for debate. The Tax Foundation says that Americans are moving to states because of lower taxes. But the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities points to reasons other than low taxes — employment opportunities, family, housing, climate, and lifestyle preferences — as more important. (My read: States attracting new residents may offer all of these bonuses!)
High earners may find that Tennessee offers more savings than Missouri, even with higher costs in Tennessee metro areas. But Missouri passed legislation to help offset taxes on income from capital. As of 2025, Missouri doesn’t tax capital gains — profits on stocks, bonds, real estate, and other assets.
And income tax alone doesn’t paint the whole picture in the best place for you.
Tennessee has a higher state-wide sales tax (7.0%) than Missouri (4.225%). Sales taxes will differ at the local and county level, too, so your effective sales tax will be higher than these numbers and will vary greatly.
Everyday Spending
Plus, the cost of everyday things — including groceries, utilities and transportation — can also affect your monthly expenses.
Use the calculator above to compare the categories that matter most to you and your lifestyle.
Springfield, MO vs Nashville, TN: Beyond Cost of Living Numbers
Moving from Nashville, TN to Springfield, MO isn’t simply a change in housing or overall costs. It’s a lifestyle change.
The Nashville metro area is America’s 35th largest metropolitan area. Nashville offers the scale and amenities of a major metropolitan area, including a larger employment market, extensive shopping and entertainment options (obviously with plenty of music entertainment), and major airport access.
The Springfield metro is number 111, so it doesn’t have all of that. But if you’re looking for more space, a larger property or easier access to the outdoors, the area surrounding Springfield may be worth exploring.
The right choice for you, Springfield, MO vs Nashville, TN depends on what you’re looking for — not just the number on a cost-of-living calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions About Springfield, MO vs Nashville, TN
Is Springfield, Missouri cheaper than Nashville, Tennessee?
Yes, in many cases. For example, a married couple earning $85,000 that buys a $460,000 home in Nashville, or a comparable $275,000 home in Springfield, with 20% down, spends about $10,500 less per year in Springfield. Lower mortgage payments account for most of the difference. Missouri’s income tax adds about $2,300 a year, and personal property tax on vehicles adds about $500 — neither of which Tennessee charges. Despite Missouri’s income tax and personal property tax, Springfield’s overall cost of living is lower than Nashville’s due to the much lower housing costs.
Is housing cheaper in Springfield than Nashville?
Overall, yes. Zillow’s similar home pricing data shows that a $459,688 home in Nashville is $272,534 in Springfield. When comparing housing, consider not only the purchase price but also the size of the home, lot size, condition and location.
Does Missouri have an income tax?
Yes. Missouri has a graduated, individual state income tax that goes up to 4.7%. But Missouri doesn’t tax capital gains.
What should I know before moving from Nashville to Springfield?
Cost is only one part of the decision. You’ll also want to consider lifestyle preferences — smaller communities or even more rural property, for example — employment opportunities, healthcare, shopping, dining, and major airport convenience, among other things.
Thinking About Moving to the Ozarks?
Springfield and the surrounding suburbs are the biggest and most known area of the Missouri Ozarks. But there are other options in the Ozarks: Branson, West Plains, Missouri, Mountain Home, Arkansas, and lots of small, rural communities.
Explore the Moving to the Ozarks article to compare communities, understand the Missouri vs. Arkansas side of the Ozarks, and start narrowing down where you might want to live.