City comparison
Detroit, MI vs Springfield, MO
What a paycheck is really worth in each city: prices, rent and state taxes.
Key findings
- Prices in Detroit, MI are 13.2% higher than in Springfield, MO. Someone earning $100,000 in Springfield, MO would need about $113,200 in Detroit, MI to live the same way.
- Rent is the bigger story: a typical 1-bedroom costs $1,122 a month in Detroit, MI versus $883 in Springfield, MO. On $100,000, that's 18% of take-home pay in Detroit, MI and 14% in Springfield, MO.
- Estimated state income tax on $100,000 is close: $3,999 a year in MI and $3,763 in MO.
- For federal employees, locality pay changes a GS-13 step 1 salary by −9.3% moving from Detroit, MI to Springfield, MO ($117,402 → $106,437), while prices change by −11.7%. Net effect of the transfer: +2.6% in real buying power.
- Detroit, MI: price level 100.3 (about average)
- Springfield, MO: price level 88.6 (much cheaper)
Map drawn from Census Bureau state boundaries and metro locations9,10; dot colours show BEA price levels2.
Side by side
| Detroit, MI | Springfield, MO | |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (U.S. = 100)2 | 100.3 | 88.6 |
| $100,000 is worth, in the other city2 | $88,322 in Springfield | $113,222 in Detroit |
| Typical 1-bedroom rent3 | $1,122/mo | $883/mo |
| Take-home on $100,00014,15,8 | $75,181 | $75,417 |
| State income tax on $100,000 (estimate)8 | $3,999 (MI) | $3,763 (MO) |
| Rent burden on $100,000 | 18% | 14% |
| Median pay, all jobs4 | $52,080 | $45,780 |
| Federal locality pay area7 | Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI | Rest of U.S. |
Rent areas: Detroit-Warren-Livonia, MI HUD Metro FMR Area and Springfield, MO HUD Metro FMR Area. Metro areas: Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI and Springfield, MO.
What costs more or less
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | Detroit | Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | 94.7 | 65.6 |
| Goods | 98.8 | 94.2 |
| Utilities | 107.0 | 85.8 |
| Other services | 102.6 | 93.0 |
| Overall | 100.3 | 88.6 |
Moving with the same $100,000 salary
Detroit, MI → Springfield, MO
Same pay goes further
Buying power +13.2%; rent takes 14% of take-home; state tax −$237/yr.
100 Strong offer
Springfield, MO → Detroit, MI
Same pay buys less
Buying power −11.7%; rent takes 18% of take-home; state tax +$237/yr.
38 Weak offer
On the GS pay scale?
Detroit, MI is in the Detroit-Warren-Ann Arbor, MI pay area; Springfield, MO is in Rest of U.S.. The last column shows what a transfer from Detroit, MI to Springfield, MO at the same grade and step does to real buying power.
| Grade5,2 | Detroit, MI | Springfield, MO | Real change, Detroit → Springfield |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-9 step 1 | $68,081 | $61,722 | +2.6% |
| GS-11 step 1 | $82,372 | $74,678 | +2.6% |
| GS-12 step 1 | $98,729 | $89,508 | +2.6% |
| GS-13 step 1 | $117,402 | $106,437 | +2.6% |
| GS-14 step 1 | $138,734 | $125,776 | +2.6% |
Pay for common jobs
| Median annual pay4 | Detroit, MI | Springfield, MO | Springfield pay in Detroit dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $65,210 | $49,380 | $55,909 (−14.3%) |
| Software Developers | $130,760 | $102,350 | $115,883 (−11.4%) |
| Accountants and Auditors | $80,650 | $73,020 | $82,675 (+2.5%) |
| Registered Nurses | $97,280 | $79,370 | $89,865 (−7.6%) |
"Not published" means BLS doesn't release an estimate for that job in that metro.