Cost of living near Missouri State University-Springfield: Springfield, MO

Off-campus, sharing a 2-bedroom, 9-month academic year. Estimate, not a quote.

• Rent + utilities (your half of a 2-bedroom)

  Here $493/moU.S. typical $704/mo
  Source

  ACS county median gross rent for a 2-bedroom (gross rent includes utilities) ÷ 2 roommates

• Groceries

  Here $324/moU.S. typical $344/mo
  Source

  USDA Thrifty Food Plan (avg of adult female/male 20–50, +20% single-person adjustment) × BEA goods price parity

• Transportation, phone & personal

  Here $638/moU.S. typical $469/mo
  Source

  College-reported 'other expenses' for off-campus students (Scorecard 2024–25) ÷ 9 months

• Books & supplies

  Here $133/moU.S. typical n/a
  Source

  College-reported books & supplies ÷ 9 months

• Total / month$1,588U.S. typical $1,517*

Rent, groceries and other costs here are about $62/month less than the U.S. typical student estimate (excluding books).

*U.S. column uses national ACS 2-bedroom rent, the unadjusted USDA plan, and the median college-reported off-campus “other expenses” across 1,944 colleges; no national books figure. Not included: tuition, health insurance, travel home, furniture/deposits, dining out. On campus instead? The college reports room & board of $11,006 per year ($1,223/month over 9 months).

Prices overall are 11% below the U.S. average (U.S. = 100).

On-campus room & board (college, per year)

$11,006

Off-campus room & board (college estimate, per year)

$10,272

ACS medians are 5-year averages and run below today's asking rents in fast-rising markets. HUD Fair Market Rents aren't included yet.

How local workers commute. It's a proxy for transit and walkability, not a Walk Score.

Most people drive here — check campus shuttles and whether first-years may keep a car.

Per 10,000 residents. Business counts are a rough stand-in for nightlife and amenities; they don't measure quality or student-friendliness.

Estimated groceries for one student: $324/month (USDA Thrifty plan, adjusted by local goods prices). Cooking more or eating out raises it.

Population

303,375

Median age

36.4

U.S. 38.9

Median household income

$61,479

U.S. $80,734

Diversity index

0.29

U.S. 0.61

Diversity index = chance that two random residents differ in race/ethnicity (0–1), from ACS table B03002.

Hospitals in county

6

Clinics & outpatient providers

638

Most colleges require health insurance. International students usually must buy the school plan or show an equivalent.