True Cost of Renting in Springfield, MO

Springfield is the Queen City of the Ozarks — Missouri's third-largest city, home to Missouri State University (24,000 students) and the global headquarters of Bass Pro Shops. The city has one of Missouri's most affordable rental markets and a growing healthcare sector anchored by CoxHealth and Mercy Hospital.

Neighborhoods & Average Rents

Commercial Street (C-Street)

Studio:
$650/mo
1 Bed:
$850/mo
2 Bed:
$1,200/mo

Springfield's arts and antique corridor along Commercial Street north of Downtown; eclectic restaurants, galleries, and vintage shops in renovated historic buildings. Empire District Electric (Algonquin Power). Street parking free. Springfield's most vibrant urban neighborhood at affordable prices.

Downtown / Jordan Valley

Studio:
$600/mo
1 Bed:
$800/mo
2 Bed:
$1,100/mo

Central business district with growing residential loft conversion; Jordan Valley Park and Landers Theater nearby. CityLink bus hub. Most walkable area in Springfield. Lower rents than C-Street with similar Downtown proximity.

Near Missouri State / Drury

Studio:
$550/mo
1 Bed:
$750/mo
2 Bed:
$1,050/mo

Student neighborhood adjacent to Missouri State University and Drury University campuses; apartment complexes and single-family rentals. High turnover in May. Springfield's most affordable rental area with university proximity.

Utility Providers

Electric
City Utilities of Springfield
Water
City Utilities of Springfield
Internet
Spectrum, AT&T Internet, CenturyLink

Commute & Transportation

Springfield is at the junction of I-44 (east-west through Missouri) and US-65 (north-south). Kansas City is 160 miles northwest; St Louis is 210 miles northeast. The Springfield-Branson National Airport (SGF) serves American, Delta, and United connections. No passenger rail. City Utilities provides bus service (CityLink) but frequency is limited. Major employers: CoxHealth (largest employer, 8,000+), Mercy Hospital, Bass Pro Shops/Sportsman's Warehouse (HQ), Missouri State University (3,000+ employees), and O'Reilly Auto Parts (HQ).

Rental Market Overview

Springfield offers some of the lowest rents in Missouri. City Utilities (municipal) provides both electric and water at competitive rates. The city's Ozarks location and cultural conservatism make it a lifestyle fit for a specific renter profile, but the cost advantages are real: 1BR apartments at $800–950 in quality neighborhoods. Bass Pro Shops' headquarters creates corporate employment beyond retail. The healthcare sector (CoxHealth + Mercy) is a significant stable employer. O'Reilly Auto Parts' presence means corporate logistics and finance employment beyond the retail footprint.

Data last updated: 2026-04

Compare Apartments in Springfield

Enter your rental options below to see the true all-in monthly cost.

Renting in Springfield: Common Questions

What is the average rent in Springfield?
One-bedroom apartments in Springfield range from $750/month in Near Missouri State / Drury to $850/month in Commercial Street (C-Street). Two-bedroom units range from $1,050 to $1,200/month. These are base rents — add fees, utilities, and amenity costs to get the true all-in monthly cost.
What utilities do I need to set up in Springfield?
In Springfield, electricity is provided by City Utilities of Springfield, water by City Utilities of Springfield, and common internet providers include Spectrum, AT&T Internet, CenturyLink. Ask the leasing office for the specific unit's average monthly bill rather than a city-wide figure — utility costs vary more by building age and insulation than by location within Springfield.
What neighborhoods are affordable in Springfield?
Near Missouri State / Drury is the most affordable of the 3 Springfield neighborhoods covered here, at $750/month for a one-bedroom — $100 less than Commercial Street (C-Street), roughly a 12% gap. That swing is often bigger than any fee or amenity difference between two buildings in the same neighborhood, which is why comparing across neighborhoods matters as much as comparing within one.
Is Springfield expensive to rent in?
Across the 3 neighborhoods covered here, the average one-bedroom in Springfield runs about $800/month before fees, utilities, and amenities are added — and those add-ons are exactly what a bare average hides. Springfield offers some of the lowest rents in Missouri. Run the specific units you are considering through RentCompare to see the true all-in monthly cost rather than relying on an area average.

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