City comparison
Springfield, MO vs Utica, NY
What a paycheck is really worth in each city: prices, rent and state taxes.
Key findings
- Prices in Utica, NY are 4.6% higher than in Springfield, MO. Someone earning $100,000 in Springfield, MO would need about $104,600 in Utica, NY to live the same way.
- Typical 1-bedroom rents are close: $883 a month in Springfield, MO and $926 in Utica, NY.
- On $100,000, estimated state income tax is about $1,097 a year higher in Utica, NY than in Springfield, MO.
- Both cities are in the same federal pay area (Rest of U.S.), so a GS-13 step 1 earns $106,437 in either. A transfer from Springfield, MO to Utica, NY changes real buying power by −4.4%, purely from prices.
- Springfield, MO: price level 88.6 (much cheaper)
- Utica, NY: price level 92.7 (cheaper)
Map drawn from Census Bureau state boundaries and metro locations9,10; dot colours show BEA price levels2.
Side by side
| Springfield, MO | Utica, NY | |
|---|---|---|
| Price level (U.S. = 100)2 | 88.6 | 92.7 |
| $100,000 is worth, in the other city2 | $104,620 in Utica | $95,584 in Springfield |
| Typical 1-bedroom rent3 | $883/mo | $926/mo |
| Take-home on $100,00014,15,8 | $75,417 | $74,320 |
| State income tax on $100,000 (estimate)8 | $3,763 (MO) | $4,860 (NY) |
| Rent burden on $100,000 | 14% | 15% |
| Median pay, all jobs4 | $45,780 | $48,970 |
| Federal locality pay area7 | Rest of U.S. | Rest of U.S. |
Rent areas: Springfield, MO HUD Metro FMR Area and Utica-Rome, NY MSA. Metro areas: Springfield, MO and Utica-Rome, NY.
What costs more or less
| Price level (U.S. = 100) | Springfield | Utica |
|---|---|---|
| Housing (rent) | 65.6 | 66.1 |
| Goods | 94.2 | 99.7 |
| Utilities | 85.8 | 131.9 |
| Other services | 93.0 | 97.8 |
| Overall | 88.6 | 92.7 |
Moving with the same $100,000 salary
Springfield, MO → Utica, NY
Same pay buys less
Buying power −4.4%; rent takes 15% of take-home; state tax +$1,097/yr.
55 Fair offer
Utica, NY → Springfield, MO
Same pay goes further
Buying power +4.6%; rent takes 14% of take-home; state tax −$1,097/yr.
83 Strong offer
On the GS pay scale?
Both metros are in the Rest of U.S. locality pay area, so GS salaries are identical. The last column shows what a transfer from Springfield, MO to Utica, NY at the same grade and step does to real buying power.
| Grade5,2 | Springfield, MO | Utica, NY | Real change, Springfield → Utica |
|---|---|---|---|
| GS-9 step 1 | $61,722 | $61,722 | −4.4% |
| GS-11 step 1 | $74,678 | $74,678 | −4.4% |
| GS-12 step 1 | $89,508 | $89,508 | −4.4% |
| GS-13 step 1 | $106,437 | $106,437 | −4.4% |
| GS-14 step 1 | $125,776 | $125,776 | −4.4% |
Pay for common jobs
| Median annual pay4 | Springfield, MO | Utica, NY | Utica pay in Springfield dollars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $49,380 | $77,010 | $73,609 (+49.1%) |
| Software Developers | $102,350 | $113,390 | $108,382 (+5.9%) |
| Accountants and Auditors | $73,020 | $79,830 | $76,304 (+4.5%) |
| Registered Nurses | $79,370 | $94,300 | $90,135 (+13.6%) |
"Not published" means BLS doesn't release an estimate for that job in that metro.