CostIndexUSA

Iowa City, IA vs Springfield, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

IA
Iowa City
91.5
overall index
$1,300/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Springfield
88.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Springfield is slightly cheaper than Iowa City — 3.2% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Iowa City, you would need $77,500 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

Index values: 100 = U.S. national average. Higher = more expensive.

🏠 Housing21.9%
Iowa City
84
Springfield
65.6
🛒 Groceries≈ Equal
Iowa City
93.7
Springfield
94.2
🚗 Transportation≈ Equal
Iowa City
97.6
Springfield
97.7
🏥 Healthcare≈ Equal
Iowa City
88.3
Springfield
88.4
Utilities+2.5%
Iowa City
83.7
Springfield
85.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

Enter your current salary in Iowa City to see what you'd need to earn in Springfield to maintain the same purchasing power.

$
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MO
$77,500
$2,500 less needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (88.6 ÷ 91.5) = salary × 0.9683. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Iowa City, IA

Median Home Price
$287,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,300
Housing Index
84
Price-to-Rent Ratio
18.4×

Springfield, MO

Median Home Price
$260,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,275
Housing Index
65.6
Price-to-Rent Ratio
17.0×

Iowa City has 21.9% lower housing costs compared to Springfield.

Income & Job Market

Iowa City, IA

Median Household Income
$71,900
Per Capita Income
$41,000
Unemployment Rate
2.3%
Population
74,398
Top Industries
EducationHealthcareTechnologyResearchGovernment

Springfield, MO

Median Household Income
$62,900
Per Capita Income
$35,900
Unemployment Rate
2.9%
Population
167,882
Top Industries
HealthcareEducationManufacturingRetailFinance

Affordability at a Glance

Income-to-rent ratio: higher is better (more income relative to housing costs).

Iowa City, IA
4.6×income-to-rent ratio

78% of income left after rent (median)

Springfield, MO
4.1×income-to-rent ratio

76% of income left after rent (median)

Data Sources: Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) Regional Price Parities 2024; U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Zillow Research.

Cost indices use 100 as the U.S. national average. Values above 100 indicate costs above the national average. Data is updated annually.

This data is for informational purposes only and should not be used as the sole basis for relocation or financial decisions.