Is it cheaper to live in Springfield or Tacoma?

Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.

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

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $31,000 a year in Springfield versus $53,000 in Tacoma.

Which has lower taxes, Springfield or Tacoma?

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

Springfield vs Tacoma Cost of Living 2026

Springfield

Missouri

$940/mo est.

Tacoma

Washington

$1,500/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $940 in Springfield, MO versus $1,500 in Tacoma, WA. Overall, Springfield, MO is roughly 37% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Tacoma, WA, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $45,984 in Springfield, MO and $83,857 in Tacoma, WA — about 45% higher in Tacoma, WA. Missouri has a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax; Washington has no state income tax and a 6.5% state sales tax.

Springfield, MO

Tacoma, WA

Rent

Studio

$760

$1,178

+55% in Tacoma, WA

1 Bedroom

$772

$1,332

+73% in Tacoma, WA

2 Bedroom

$926

$1,693

+83% in Tacoma, WA

3 Bedroom

$1,158

$2,094

+81% in Tacoma, WA

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$165,200

$454,600

+175% in Tacoma, WA

Income

Median Household Income

$45,984

$83,857

+82% in Tacoma, WA

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$45,780

$72,610

+59% in Tacoma, WA

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

33.6 yr

37.3 yr

+3.7 yr in Tacoma, WA

Homeownership

42.9%

56.5%

+13.6 pp in Tacoma, WA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

30.3%

33.5%

+3.2 pp in Tacoma, WA

Avg Commute

18.0 min

29.0 min

+11.0 min in Tacoma, WA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

1,189.8

1,064.4

+11% in Springfield, MO

Property Crime

4,231.6

5,695.2

+35% in Tacoma, WA

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

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

56.3°F

52.1°F

+4.2°F in Springfield, MO

Annual Precipitation

45.6 in

43.0 in

+2.5 in in Springfield, MO

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$5.12/gal

+30% in Tacoma, WA

Area: Midwest (PADD 2) vs Washington.

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

13.7

14.9

+9% in Tacoma, WA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$24.13

$20.41

+15% in Springfield, MO

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

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.31

$4.82

+12% in Tacoma, WA

Bread (lb)

$1.66

$2.04

+23% in Tacoma, WA

Eggs (doz)

$3.63

$2.19

+40% in Springfield, MO

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.77

$7.36

+9% in Tacoma, WA

Chicken (lb)

$2.10

$2.01

+4% in Springfield, MO

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Tacoma, WA

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

State Taxes

Sales Tax (MO / WA)

4.225%

6.5%

+2.3 pp in WA

Income Tax (top rate)

4.70%

None

+4.7 pp in MO

Springfield vs Tacoma — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Springfield or Tacoma?: Springfield, MO is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $940 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 37% below Tacoma, WA's $1,500, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Springfield than in Tacoma?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $31,000 a year in Springfield versus $53,000 in Tacoma.
Which has lower taxes, Springfield or Tacoma?: Springfield is taxed under Missouri's rules (a top state income tax rate of 4.70% and a 4.225% state sales tax); Tacoma under Washington's (no state income tax and a 6.5% 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).