If you’ve been on the fence about moving to Springfield, here’s one more reason to take the leap. Livability just named Springfield one of the Top 100 Best Places to Live in the U.S. for 2026, and the city earned it.
Out of more than 2,000 cities considered for the list, only 100 made the cut. Springfield is one of them. That’s not a small thing.
What Goes Into the Ranking
Livability isn’t putting cities on a list based on gut feelings or reader votes. They partner with Applied Geographic Solutions to crunch more than 100 data points across eight categories: economy and housing, amenities, environment, safety, health, education, and transportation. For 2026, they put extra weight on housing affordability and cost of living, because let’s be honest, that’s what most people are thinking about right now.
There are also some ground rules that make this list mean more than most. Cities with median home values above $500,000 are automatically out. If a place isn’t actually attainable for the average person, it doesn’t belong on a livability list. And the population has to fall between 75,000 and 500,000, big enough to have real opportunity, small enough to still feel like somewhere you actually belong.
Springfield checks both boxes. With a population of 174,570 and a median home value of $208,223, it’s exactly the kind of city this list was built to find.
Where Springfield Really Shines
According to Livability’s full profile of Springfield, the city scored highest in three categories: transportation, housing and cost of living, and amenities. If you’ve spent any time here, that tracks.
Getting around Springfield is genuinely easy. The average commute is just 16 minutes, which is the kind of number that sounds too good to be true if you’ve ever sat in city traffic for 45 minutes just to go five miles. Homeownership is within reach here, with that median home value of $208,223 and a median monthly rent of $826. And when it comes to things to do, Springfield punches well above its weight, with more than 100 park sites, a 100-mile trail network, and a downtown arts scene anchored by Juanita K. Hammons Hall and the Gillioz Theatre.
The Economy
Springfield isn’t just a nice place to live. It’s a place where you can actually build a career. Bass Pro Shops and O’Reilly Auto Parts are both headquartered here. The city ranked among the top 25 metro areas in the country for food production in 2025, with major names like Kraft Heinz, McCormick French’s, and Vital Farms operating here. Health care is a massive part of the local economy too. CoxHealth and Mercy Hospital Springfield anchor a system that serves a 25-county region, and Mercy is one of only six St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital affiliates in the entire country.
Missouri State University keeps a steady flow of talented graduates moving into the local workforce, and many of them stay. When your city can attract and keep that kind of talent, it creates a compounding effect on the local economy that’s hard to fake.
A City That Invests in Itself
The Ozarks Regional Economic Partnership put it well when they noted that this recognition comes at a meaningful moment for Springfield. The metro just crossed 500,000 residents. The Route 66 Centennial is happening right here in 2026, in the city that literally gave the highway its name. There’s a real sense of momentum right now.
But beyond the milestone moments, Springfield is a city that shows up for its residents day in and day out. In 2024, voters approved Spring Forward SGF, directing sales tax funding toward neighborhood improvements, pedestrian safety, and social services. Programs like the Mayor’s Initiative on Equity and Equality reflect a community that takes inclusion seriously, not just as a talking point. Annual events like the Multicultural Festival and Artsfest on Historic Walnut Street bring people together in a way that feels organic rather than obligatory.
And then there’s the fun stuff. Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium has been named the best aquarium in the country multiple times and spans more than 350,000 square feet. Springfield-style Cashew Chicken has been a local obsession since 1963. The craft beverage scene is one of the strongest in the Midwest. These are the details that make a city feel like home rather than just a place to live.
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Springfield, MO
Why is Springfield, MO considered a great place to live?
Springfield offers something that’s genuinely hard to find: a low cost of living, a strong job market, a short commute, and a community with real character. It landed on Livability’s 2026 Top 100 Best Places to Live list because the data backs up what residents already know. This city takes care of its people.
What is the cost of living like in Springfield, MO?
Very manageable. The median home value is $208,223, and the median monthly rent is $826, both significantly lower than the national average. The median property tax comes in at $1,570 annually. Your dollar goes further here than it does in most cities of comparable size.
What are the job opportunities like in Springfield, MO?
Springfield has a diverse and growing economy. Bass Pro Shops and O’Reilly Auto Parts call it home. The city is a major hub for health care, logistics, and food manufacturing. You can explore the local economy and browse industries and employers to get a fuller picture of what’s available. Missouri State University also keeps the talent pipeline strong, which benefits employers and job seekers alike.
What is the health care situation in Springfield, MO?
Springfield is the regional health care hub for a 25-county area. CoxHealth runs a Level I trauma center and offers specialized pediatric and neurological care. Mercy Hospital Springfield is one of only six St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital affiliates in the nation. For a city of this size, the level of care available here is exceptional. Learn more about health care in Springfield.
What are the schools like in Springfield, MO?
Springfield Public Schools is the largest district in Missouri, serving more than 24,000 students. It’s known for its specialized academy programming, connecting students to fields like conservation, health care, and technology in hands-on ways. Missouri State University, the state’s second-largest university system, anchors a higher education community that includes more than a dozen colleges. Explore public schools, private schools, and colleges and universities in the area.
What is there to do in Springfield, MO?
More than you’d expect. Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium is one of the best in the country. The original Bass Pro Shops is a destination all on its own. There’s Fantastic Caverns, the History Museum on the Square, the Route 66 Car Museum, and a thriving downtown arts scene. For outdoor lovers, the 100-mile trail network and proximity to the Ozarks keeps the weekends full. Browse all Springfield attractions to see what else is waiting for you.
Is Springfield, MO a good place to raise a family?
It really is. Affordable housing, a strong school district, top-tier health care, and plenty of parks and outdoor space make it easy to put down roots here. Springfield has the feel of a community where people know their neighbors and actually want to stay. Download the 2025 Relocation Guide to get the full picture.
Thinking About Making the Move?
Rankings are a great starting point, but they can only tell you so much. The real case for Springfield is the day-to-day: what your dollar buys, how your mornings feel, what your weekends look like. If you want to dig into the details, we’ve put together everything you need right here. Explore housing options, get familiar with the cost of living, browse local employers, and check out neighborhoods to find the one that fits your life. You can also grab our 2025 Relocation Guide for a deeper look at what makes Springfield worth considering.
We think once you start looking, you’ll have a hard time finding a reason not to come.