Springfield tops state in annual cost-of-living report

The Springfield metro area's annual cost-of-living score fared better than that of Missouri in 2022 after falling behind the state in 2021.

Springfield's average annual index score was 87.4 in 2022, according to a news release from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center, which collected data from a survey by The Council for Community and Economic Research. Missouri's overall score was 89.1.

A score of 100 represents the national average – the lower the score, the lower the costs. The score reflects prices in areas such as groceries, housing, utilities, transportation and health care.

Springfield's best score, 79.9, was in housing. The metro area additionally scored 91.3 in miscellaneous, 91.8 in transportation, 92.3 in health care, 94.8 in utilities and 95.4 in groceries, according to the release.

Springfield’s score fell behind Joplin, at 82, and St. Louis, at 86.3. Kansas City came in at 94.9, and Columbia had a score of 95.

Missouri ranked No. 6 nationwide, with Mississippi at No. 1.

In the 2021 average cost-of-living report, Springfield had a score of 90.4 and Missouri had a tally of 89.8, according to past reporting.