Is it cheaper to live in Mesa or Springfield?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Mesa versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Mesa or Springfield?

Mesa is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Mesa vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Mesa

Arizona

$1,460/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,460 in Mesa, AZ versus $940 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 36% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Mesa, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,779 in Mesa, AZ and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 42% higher in Mesa, AZ. Arizona has a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Mesa, AZ

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$1,209

$760

+37% in Mesa, AZ

1 Bedroom

$1,288

$772

+40% in Mesa, AZ

2 Bedroom

$1,458

$926

+36% in Mesa, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,819

$1,158

+36% in Mesa, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$364,300

$165,200

+55% in Mesa, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$78,779

$45,984

+42% in Mesa, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,380

$45,780

+11% in Mesa, AZ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.2 yr

33.6 yr

+3.6 yr in Mesa, AZ

Homeownership

64.4%

42.9%

+21.5 pp in Mesa, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.5%

30.3%

+1.2 pp in Mesa, AZ

Avg Commute

25.0 min

18.0 min

+7.0 min in Mesa, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

486.2

1,189.8

+145% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

1,488

4,231.6

+184% 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

75.1°F

56.3°F

+18.8°F in Mesa, AZ

Annual Precipitation

8.0 in

45.6 in

+37.5 in in Springfield, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.94/gal

+23% in Mesa, AZ

Area: West Coast (PADD 5) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.00

—

Adult base one-way fare — Valley Metro vs — (2026).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

15.2

13.7

+10% in Mesa, AZ

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$22.44

$24.13

+8% in Springfield, MO

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Mesa, AZ

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Mesa, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Mesa, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Springfield, MO

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Mesa, AZ

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (AZ / MO)

5.6%

4.225%

+1.4 pp in AZ

Income Tax (top rate)

2.50%

4.70%

+2.2 pp in MO

Mesa vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Mesa or Springfield?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 36% below Mesa, AZ's $1,460, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Mesa than in Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $52,000 a year in Mesa versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Mesa or Springfield?: Mesa is taxed under Arizona's rules (a top state income tax rate of 2.50% and a 5.6% 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).