Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Springfield?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 59% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Springfield?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Boston or Springfield?

Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Boston vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Boston

Massachusetts

$2,290/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,290 in Boston, MA versus $940 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 59% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Boston, MA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $94,755 in Boston, MA and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 51% higher in Boston, MA. Massachusetts has a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Boston, MA

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$1,890

$760

+60% in Boston, MA

1 Bedroom

$1,978

$772

+61% in Boston, MA

2 Bedroom

$2,155

$926

+57% in Boston, MA

3 Bedroom

$2,234

$1,158

+48% in Boston, MA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$710,400

$165,200

+77% in Boston, MA

Income

Median Household Income

$94,755

$45,984

+51% in Boston, MA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$66,620

$45,780

+31% in Boston, MA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.2 yr

33.6 yr

+0.4 yr in Springfield, MO

Homeownership

35.4%

42.9%

+7.5 pp in Springfield, MO

Bachelor's+ (25+)

54.1%

30.3%

+23.8 pp in Boston, MA

Avg Commute

30.2 min

18.0 min

+12.2 min in Boston, MA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

630.2

1,189.8

+89% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

2,030.8

4,231.6

+108% in Springfield, MO

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

51.5°F

56.3°F

+4.8°F in Springfield, MO

Annual Precipitation

43.8 in

45.6 in

+1.8 in in Springfield, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.95/gal

$3.94/gal

+0% in Boston, MA

Area: Massachusetts vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

28.8

13.7

+53% in Boston, MA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$31.39

$24.13

+23% in Boston, MA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

about equal

Bread (lb)

$1.92

$1.66

+14% in Boston, MA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Boston, MA

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Boston, MA

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Boston, MA

Average prices — Northeast vs Midwest (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MA / MO)

6.25%

4.225%

+2.0 pp in MA

Income Tax (top rate)

9.00%

4.70%

+4.3 pp in MA

Boston vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Boston or Springfield?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 59% below Boston, MA's $2,290, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Boston than in Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $79,000 a year in Boston versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Boston or Springfield?: Boston is taxed under Massachusetts's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.00% and a 6.25% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).