Springfield cost of living improves in Q2

The Springfield metropolitan area's cost of living decreased in the second quarter, according to the latest data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.

Springfield had an overall score of 90.5 on a 100-point index in Council for Community & Economic Research survey results presented by MERIC, according to a news release. That's down from 92.8 in the first quarter.

Missouri's index score was 90.1. A score of 100 represents the national average – the lower the score, the lower the costs.

The Springfield metro area scored the best in housing, at 76.4; followed by utilities, at 85.6; transportation, at 92.1; miscellaneous, at 96.8; groceries, at 100.9; and health care, at 102.7, according to the release.

Missouri ranked No. 8 among the states nationwide. The Show-Me State had individual metrics of 78.2 in housing, 92.1 in transportation, 94.7 in miscellaneous, 95.5 in health care, 95.7 in utilities and 95.8 in groceries.