Springfield, MO vs Columbia, MO
Side-by-side fiscal comparison · U.S. Census Bureau data (2023)
Springfield, MO and Columbia, MO spend within 14.1% of each other per resident — $15,703 versus $13,757 — so on the headline spending-per-capita measure the two cities are effectively neck and neck.
Springfield, MO holds the stronger Fiscal Health Score, 82/100 (grade A) against 71/100 (grade B) for Columbia, MO — a 11-point spread that puts the two in different grade territory.
Springfield, MO reports no outstanding debt per resident in its Census filing, while Columbia, MO carries $175 per resident. Both cities pour the most per-resident dollars into the same function: parks and recreation leads in Springfield, MO at $2,552 per resident and in Columbia, MO at $1,099.
They also fund themselves differently: other revenue is the largest single revenue source in Springfield, MO at 11% of total revenue, whereas Columbia, MO relies most on intergovernmental transfers at 100%.
Summary
Springfield spends 14.1% more per capita than Columbia ($1,946/person difference). Springfield, MO has the stronger Fiscal Health Score (A, 82/100).
Fiscal Health Score
Key Metrics
Per Capita Spending by Department
Revenue Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Sales Tax | $827 | $668 |
| Income Tax | $822 | $2,110 |
| Intergovernmental | $1,035 | $23,577 |
| Charges & Fees | $3,451 | $2,293 |
| Other | $4,051 | $2,632 |
Spending Breakdown (Per Capita)
| Fire Protection | $68 | $355 |
| Highways & Roads | $487 | $0 |
| Education | $1,123 | $0 |
| Public Welfare | $932 | $901 |
| Hospitals | $311 | $77 |
| Parks & Recreation | $2,552 | $1,099 |
| Housing | $2,768 | $1,692 |
| Sewerage | $206 | $0 |
| Utilities | $2,850 | $3,124 |
| Interest on Debt | $805 | $419 |
| Other | $3,601 | $6,091 |
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Source: Census Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances, 2026.