Best overall alternatives
Ranked by lifestyle match: savings potential, walkability, and economic opportunity โ not just cheapest price.
Best Match
13% cheaper
vs. Springfield
1BR rent$1,250/mo
Monthly savings$200/mo
Walk score58/100
Median income$51K/yr
โพ St. Louis
Missouri, MO
11% cheaper
vs. Springfield
1BR rent$1,300/mo
Monthly savings$150/mo
Walk score61/100
Median income$54K/yr
11% cheaper
vs. Springfield
1BR rent$1,300/mo
Monthly savings$150/mo
Walk score54/100
Median income$57K/yr
Moving to Cleveland saves you $200/mo. Put it to work while you plan.
High-yield savings accounts โ top rates today
See all savings accounts โ
Openbank
Openbank 12-Month CD
4.45%APY

Peak Bank
Peak Bank 12-Month CD
4.42%APY
Eliminate Massachusetts's 5% state income tax
These states charge $0 in state income tax. On a $120K salary, that's $6,000/year back in your pocket โ before factoring in the lower COL.
More monthly income deserves a card that earns it back
No-annual-fee credit cards โ earn rewards on every moving expense

Chase
Chase Freedom Unlimitedยฎ
1.5%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee

Citi
Citi Custom Cashยฎ Card
1%-5% Cash Back
$0 annual fee
More affordable metros
All other established metros cheaper than Springfield, sorted by cost of living.
๐ต Jackson, MSCOL 791BR $1,000/moSave $450/mo on rent19% cheaper
๐ฏ Springfield, MOCOL 791BR $950/moSave $500/mo on rent19% cheaper
โ๏ธ Montgomery, ALCOL 811BR $1,050/moSave $400/mo on rent17% cheaper
๐ท Shreveport, LACOL 811BR $1,000/moSave $450/mo on rent17% cheaper
๐ป Toledo, OHCOL 811BR $1,050/moSave $400/mo on rent17% cheaper
๐ Fort Wayne, INCOL 811BR $1,000/moSave $450/mo on rent17% cheaper
Cities with similar cost of living
COL data: Numbeo, Zillow, BLS ยท Walk scores: Walk Scoreยฎ ยท Q1 2026 ยท For general guidance only