Springfield fares better than state in cost-of-living study

Springfield’s cost of living is lower than the state’s index score, according to a new study on the most and least expensive areas in the United States.

On a 100-point scale representing the lowest cost of living in the United States, the Queen City’s total was 85.3. Missouri’s was 88.3 in the second quarter, according to a survey by the Council for Community & Economic Research, published by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.

Only Joplin fared better among the major Missouri cities that participated in the survey. By cost-of-living index score, the Show-Me State cities are:
• Joplin, 81.5;
• Springfield, 85.3;
• St. Louis, 87.6;
• Jefferson City, 88.2;
• Columbia, 92; and
• Kansas City, 94.9.

Springfield’s lowest cost is housing, with a 68.6 score. All other metrics in the city scored below the baseline 100 index: utilities, at 87.3; transportation, at 88; miscellaneous, at 92; groceries, at 96.9; and health care, at 99.4, according to the report.

Missouri ranked No. 4 in the survey. No. 1 is Mississippi, with a score of 86.7, followed by Missouri-bordering states Oklahoma, at 87.2, and Arkansas, at 87.7. Last on the list is Hawaii, with a 192.1 score.

A recent report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics showed Greene County had the lowest wages among major Missouri cities during the first quarter. However, its wage growth percentage was the highest in the past year in the Show-Me State.