Is it cheaper to live in Rutland or Springfield?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Rutland versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Rutland or Springfield?

Rutland is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Rutland vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Rutland

Vermont

$1,120/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$970/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,120 in Rutland, VT versus $970 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 13% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Rutland, VT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $55,000 in Rutland, VT and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 16% higher in Rutland, VT. Vermont has a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 6% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Rutland, VT

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$893

$760

+15% in Rutland, VT

1 Bedroom

$856

$772

+10% in Rutland, VT

2 Bedroom

$1,097

$926

+16% in Rutland, VT

3 Bedroom

$1,207

$1,158

+4% in Rutland, VT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$176,400

$165,200

+6% in Rutland, VT

Income

Median Household Income

$55,000

$45,984

+16% in Rutland, VT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

—

$45,780

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

48.5 yr

33.6 yr

+14.9 yr in Rutland, VT

Homeownership

52.7%

42.9%

+9.8 pp in Rutland, VT

Bachelor's+ (25+)

32.2%

30.3%

+1.9 pp in Rutland, VT

Avg Commute

14.7 min

18.0 min

+3.3 min in Springfield, MO

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

487.8

1,189.8

+144% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

3,973.3

4,231.6

+7% 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

44.6°F

56.3°F

+11.7°F in Springfield, MO

Annual Precipitation

40.5 in

45.6 in

+5.1 in in Springfield, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$3.85/gal

+2% in Rutland, VT

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

24.4

16.2

+34% in Rutland, VT

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$26.07

$28.78

+10% in Springfield, MO

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 Rutland, VT

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.90

$6.77

+2% in Rutland, VT

Chicken (lb)

$2.19

$2.10

+4% in Rutland, VT

Bananas (lb)

$0.69

$0.62

+11% in Rutland, VT

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (VT / MO)

4.225%

+1.8 pp in VT

Income Tax (top rate)

8.75%

4.70%

+4.0 pp in VT

Rutland vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Rutland or Springfield?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $970 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 13% below Rutland, VT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Rutland than in Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $34,000 a year in Rutland versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Rutland or Springfield?: Rutland is taxed under Vermont's rules (a top state income tax rate of 8.75% and a 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).