Springfield's cost of living rises in Q2

The Springfield metro area's cost of living rose in the second quarter, but it's still low compared with other major cities in the state, according to data released by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center.

Springfield's second-quarter index score came in at 87, which is up from 86.1 in the same quarter last year. A score of 100 represents the national average – the lower the score, the lower the costs on items such as groceries, housing, utilities, transportation and health care.

The Springfield metro area fared the best in housing, with a 74.6 score. Its other individual scores were 83.8 in utilities, 89.9 in transportation, 93.3 in groceries, 93.5 in miscellaneous and 94.7 in health care, according to the MERIC report.

With an index score of 85.5, the Joplin metro area was the best performing in the state. Other metro-area scores were 88.4 in St. Louis, 90 in Columbia and 91.9 in Kansas City.

Missouri's index score in the second quarter was 88.6, placing it No. 7 nationwide. West Virginia's 84.3 index score ranked it at No. 1.