Springfield fares well in cost-of-living report

Springfield and Missouri had some of the lowest cost-of-living expenses in the country during the fourth quarter, according to a new report.

Council for Community & Economic Research survey results presented by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center show the Show-Me State had the sixth-lowest cost of living nationwide during the final quarter of 2020. Springfield’s score is even better, according to a news release.

Missouri's index score is 89.4, while Springfield is 88.4. A score of 100 represents the national average – the lower the score, the lower the costs.

Springfield individually scored 72 in housing, 86.3 in utilities, 88.9 in transportation, 95.4 in miscellaneous, 100.3 in health care and 100.7 in groceries.

Joplin was No. 1 for cost of living among Missouri cities that participated in the study, with an 82 index score, according to the release. Springfield is No. 3 after St. Louis, which has a score of 88.1, and No. 4 is Jefferson City, at 89.8.

Among the states, Mississippi had the lowest overall score, at 84.8. In bordering states, Arkansas scored 88.3, followed by Oklahoma at 87.2, Kansas at 87.5, Tennessee at 90, Iowa at 92, Nebraska at 93.1, Kentucky at 94 and Illinois at 95.7.