Is it cheaper to live in Phoenix or Springfield?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Phoenix, AZ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Phoenix versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Phoenix or Springfield?

Phoenix 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).

Phoenix vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Phoenix

Arizona

$1,430/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,430 in Phoenix, AZ versus $940 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 34% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Phoenix, AZ, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $77,041 in Phoenix, AZ and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 40% higher in Phoenix, 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.

Phoenix, AZ

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$1,127

$760

+33% in Phoenix, AZ

1 Bedroom

$1,253

$772

+38% in Phoenix, AZ

2 Bedroom

$1,493

$926

+38% in Phoenix, AZ

3 Bedroom

$1,771

$1,158

+35% in Phoenix, AZ

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$381,900

$165,200

+57% in Phoenix, AZ

Income

Median Household Income

$77,041

$45,984

+40% in Phoenix, AZ

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$51,380

$45,780

+11% in Phoenix, AZ

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

34.8 yr

33.6 yr

+1.2 yr in Phoenix, AZ

Homeownership

57.1%

42.9%

+14.2 pp in Phoenix, AZ

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.3%

30.3%

+2.0 pp in Phoenix, AZ

Avg Commute

25.7 min

18.0 min

+7.7 min in Phoenix, AZ

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

799.6

1,189.8

+49% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

2,338.9

4,231.6

+81% 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 Phoenix, AZ

Annual Precipitation

8.2 in

45.6 in

+37.4 in in Springfield, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.94/gal

+23% in Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, 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 Phoenix, AZ

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Phoenix, AZ

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Phoenix, AZ

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Springfield, MO

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Phoenix, 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

Phoenix vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Phoenix or Springfield?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 34% below Phoenix, AZ's $1,430, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Phoenix than in Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $50,000 a year in Phoenix versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Phoenix or Springfield?: Phoenix 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).