Springfield bests state in Q2 cost-of-living report

Springfield's second-quarter cost-of-living expenses fared better than the state and national averages, according to a recently published report.

The Queen City's index score was 87.1, while Missouri's was 88.6, according to a news release from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, which collected data from a survey by the Council for Community & Economic Research.

A score of 100 represents the national average – the lower the score, the lower the costs.

Springfield scored best in the category of housing, and worst in health care; here’s the breakdown of index scores:
• Housing, 75.
• Utilities, 86.8.
• Miscellaneous, 90.9.
• Transportation, 92.5.
• Groceries, 96.5.
• Health care, 101.7.

The Queen City's overall index score was the third best among the five major Missouri cities examined for the report. Joplin scored 80.7, followed by St. Louis at 85.7, Columbia at 94.7 and Kansas City at 95.7.

In second-quarter 2021, Springfield's index score was 90.5, according to past reporting.