Is it cheaper to live in Little Rock or Springfield?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Little Rock, AR's $1,080, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Little Rock versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Little Rock or Springfield?

Little Rock is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Little Rock vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Little Rock

Arkansas

$1,080/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,080 in Little Rock, AR versus $940 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Little Rock, AR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $60,583 in Little Rock, AR and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 24% higher in Little Rock, AR. Arkansas has a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Little Rock, AR

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$981

$760

+23% in Little Rock, AR

1 Bedroom

$904

$772

+15% in Little Rock, AR

2 Bedroom

$1,064

$926

+13% in Little Rock, AR

3 Bedroom

$1,292

$1,158

+10% in Little Rock, AR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$221,200

$165,200

+25% in Little Rock, AR

Income

Median Household Income

$60,583

$45,984

+24% in Little Rock, AR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,790

$45,780

+0% in Little Rock, AR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

36.4 yr

33.6 yr

+2.8 yr in Little Rock, AR

Homeownership

54.2%

42.9%

+11.3 pp in Little Rock, AR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

44.0%

30.3%

+13.7 pp in Little Rock, AR

Avg Commute

18.3 min

18.0 min

+0.3 min in Little Rock, AR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,673

1,189.8

+29% in Little Rock, AR

Property Crime

5,251.5

4,231.6

+19% in Little Rock, AR

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

62.7°F

56.3°F

+6.4°F in Little Rock, AR

Annual Precipitation

49.8 in

45.6 in

+4.2 in in Little Rock, AR

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.62/gal

$3.94/gal

+9% in Springfield, MO

Area: Gulf Coast (PADD 3) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.4

13.7

+5% in Little Rock, AR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$25.93

$24.13

+7% in Little Rock, AR

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.31

+8% in Springfield, MO

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$1.66

+5% in Little Rock, AR

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$3.63

+64% in Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$6.77

+5% in Springfield, MO

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.10

+10% in Springfield, MO

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

about equal

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AR / MO)

6.5%

4.225%

+2.3 pp in AR

Income Tax (top rate)

3.90%

4.70%

+0.8 pp in MO

Little Rock vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Little Rock or Springfield?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Little Rock, AR's $1,080, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Little Rock than in Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $36,000 a year in Little Rock versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Little Rock or Springfield?: Little Rock is taxed under Arkansas's rules (a top state income tax rate of 3.90% and a 6.5% 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).