Is it cheaper to live in Salem or Springfield?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Salem versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Salem or Springfield?

Salem is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Salem vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Salem

Oregon

$1,170/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,170 in Salem, OR versus $940 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 20% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Salem, OR, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $71,900 in Salem, OR and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 36% higher in Salem, OR. Oregon has a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Salem, OR

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$1,075

$760

+29% in Salem, OR

1 Bedroom

$989

$772

+22% in Salem, OR

2 Bedroom

$1,337

$926

+31% in Salem, OR

3 Bedroom

$1,778

$1,158

+35% in Salem, OR

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$382,400

$165,200

+57% in Salem, OR

Income

Median Household Income

$71,900

$45,984

+36% in Salem, OR

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$55,310

$45,780

+17% in Salem, OR

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.7 yr

33.6 yr

+2.1 yr in Salem, OR

Homeownership

55.7%

42.9%

+12.8 pp in Salem, OR

Bachelor's+ (25+)

31.4%

30.3%

+1.1 pp in Salem, OR

Avg Commute

22.4 min

18.0 min

+4.4 min in Salem, OR

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

540.6

1,189.8

+120% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

2,878.6

4,231.6

+47% 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

53.0°F

56.3°F

+3.3°F in Springfield, MO

Annual Precipitation

39.7 in

45.6 in

+5.9 in in Springfield, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.09/gal

$3.94/gal

+23% in Salem, OR

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.3

13.7

+16% in Salem, OR

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.59

$24.13

+17% in Springfield, MO

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Salem, OR

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Salem, OR

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Salem, OR

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Springfield, MO

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Salem, OR

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (OR / MO)

None

4.225%

+4.2 pp in MO

Income Tax (top rate)

9.90%

4.70%

+5.2 pp in OR

Salem vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Salem or Springfield?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 20% below Salem, OR's $1,170, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Salem than in Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $40,000 a year in Salem versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Salem or Springfield?: Salem is taxed under Oregon's rules (a top state income tax rate of 9.90% and no 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).