Is it cheaper to live in Seattle or Springfield?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 54% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year in Seattle versus $31,000 in Springfield.

Which has lower taxes, Seattle or Springfield?

Seattle is taxed under Washington's rules (no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax); Springfield under Missouri's (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax).

Seattle vs Springfield Cost of Living 2026

Seattle

Washington

$2,030/mo est.

Springfield

Missouri

$940/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $2,030 in Seattle, WA versus $940 in Springfield, MO. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 54% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Seattle, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $121,984 in Seattle, WA and $45,984 in Springfield, MO — about 62% higher in Seattle, WA. Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax; Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax.

Seattle, WA

Springfield, MO

Rent

Studio

$1,638

$760

+54% in Seattle, WA

1 Bedroom

$1,858

$772

+58% in Seattle, WA

2 Bedroom

$2,359

$926

+61% in Seattle, WA

3 Bedroom

$2,918

$1,158

+60% in Seattle, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$912,100

$165,200

+82% in Seattle, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$121,984

$45,984

+62% in Seattle, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$72,610

$45,780

+37% in Seattle, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.5 yr

33.6 yr

+1.9 yr in Seattle, WA

Homeownership

44.2%

42.9%

+1.3 pp in Seattle, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

67.5%

30.3%

+37.2 pp in Seattle, WA

Avg Commute

26.6 min

18.0 min

+8.6 min in Seattle, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

788.6

1,189.8

+51% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

5,108.8

4,231.6

+17% in Seattle, WA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

53.5°F

56.3°F

+2.8°F in Springfield, MO

Annual Precipitation

37.7 in

45.6 in

+7.9 in in Springfield, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$5.31/gal

$3.94/gal

+26% in Seattle, WA

Area: Seattle vs Midwest (PADD 2).

Public Transit

Base Fare (one-way)

$2.75

—

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

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

14.9

13.7

+8% in Seattle, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$20.41

$24.13

+18% in Springfield, MO

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.82

$4.31

+10% in Seattle, WA

Bread (lb)

$2.04

$1.66

+19% in Seattle, WA

Eggs (doz)

$2.19

$3.63

+66% in Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$7.36

$6.77

+8% in Seattle, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.01

$2.10

+4% in Springfield, MO

Bananas (lb)

$0.70

$0.62

+12% in Seattle, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (WA / MO)

6.5%

4.225%

+2.3 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

None

4.70%

+4.7 pp in MO

Seattle vs Springfield — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Seattle or Springfield?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 54% below Seattle, WA's $2,030, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Seattle than in Springfield?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $74,000 a year in Seattle versus $31,000 in Springfield.
Which has lower taxes, Seattle or Springfield?: Seattle is taxed under Washington's rules (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).