CostIndexUSA

Lancaster, PA vs Springfield, MO Cost of Living

Data: BEA Regional Price Parities · Census ACS · 2024

PA
Lancaster
98.3
overall index
$1,500/mo rent
More AffordableMO
Springfield
88.6
overall index
$1,275/mo rent

Springfield is moderately cheaper than Lancaster — 9.9% lower overall cost of living.

To match an $80,000 salary in Lancaster, you would need $72,100 in Springfield. Calculate your salary ↓

Category Breakdown

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

🏠 Housing30.1%
Lancaster
93.8
Springfield
65.6
🛒 Groceries6.5%
Lancaster
100.7
Springfield
94.2
🚗 Transportation4.8%
Lancaster
102.6
Springfield
97.7
🏥 Healthcare4.7%
Lancaster
92.8
Springfield
88.4
Utilities20.0%
Lancaster
107.3
Springfield
85.8

Salary Equivalency Calculator

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

$
Equivalent salary in Springfield, MO
$72,100
$7,900 less needed in Springfield

Formula: salary × (88.6 ÷ 98.3) = salary × 0.9013. Based on BEA Regional Price Parities.

Housing Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Home Price
$372,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,500
Housing Index
93.8
Price-to-Rent Ratio
20.7×

Springfield, MO

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

Lancaster has 30.1% lower housing costs compared to Springfield.

Income & Job Market

Lancaster, PA

Median Household Income
$80,100
Per Capita Income
$45,700
Unemployment Rate
3.2%
Population
59,322
Top Industries
HealthcareManufacturingRetailTourismAgriculture

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).

Lancaster, PA
4.5×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.