Is it cheaper to live in Reno or Springfield?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Reno versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Reno or Springfield?

Reno is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Reno vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Reno

Nevada

$1,350/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,350 in Reno, NV versus $940 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 30% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Reno, NV, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $78,448 in Reno, NV and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 41% higher in Reno, NV. Nevada has no state income tax and a 6.85% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Reno, NV

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$964

$760

+21% in Reno, NV

1 Bedroom

$1,206

$772

+36% in Reno, NV

2 Bedroom

$1,518

$926

+39% in Reno, NV

3 Bedroom

$1,885

$1,158

+39% in Reno, NV

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$498,600

$165,200

+67% in Reno, NV

Income

Median Household Income

$78,448

$45,984

+41% in Reno, NV

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$49,660

$45,780

+8% in Reno, NV

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

37.3 yr

33.6 yr

+3.7 yr in Reno, NV

Homeownership

49.4%

42.9%

+6.5 pp in Reno, NV

Bachelor's+ (25+)

35.7%

30.3%

+5.4 pp in Reno, NV

Avg Commute

20.6 min

18.0 min

+2.6 min in Reno, NV

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

528.9

1,189.8

+125% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

2,489.3

4,231.6

+70% 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

53.8°F

56.3°F

+2.5°F in Springfield, MO

Annual Precipitation

7.4 in

45.6 in

+38.2 in in Springfield, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.94/gal

+23% in Reno, NV

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.6

13.7

+1% in Springfield, MO

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$12.09

$24.13

+100% in Springfield, MO

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Reno, NV

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Reno, NV

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Reno, NV

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Springfield, MO

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Reno, NV

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (NV / MO)

6.85%

4.225%

+2.6 pp in NV

Income Tax (top rate)

None

4.70%

+4.7 pp in MO

Reno vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Reno or Springfield?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 30% below Reno, NV's $1,350, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Reno than in Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $48,000 a year in Reno versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Reno or Springfield?: Reno is taxed under Nevada's rules (no state income tax and a 6.85% 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).