Springfield, MO Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Springfield, MO: What You Need to Know

There are dozens of cities named Springfield, but there’s only one Queen City of the Ozarks, and that’s Springfield, Missouri.

Things to Do in Springfield

Springfield is the birthplace of the historic Route 66, which reduced the distance between Chicago and Los Angeles by 200 miles. The name “Route 66” was created in the city during a meeting of officials deciding the numbers to be assigned to new highways. 

Today you can visit numerous Springfield attractions along Route 66, including Air and Military Museum of the Ozarks, Lew’s Ozark Fishing Museum, and Route 66 Antique Mall. The Fantastic Caverns is also a popular destination for families. The cave, discovered in 1862, provides a guided tour using jeep-drawn trams. 

The Local History

The Native American tribes of Kickapoo, Delaware, and Osage originally lived in the area. In 1833, John P. Campbell donated 50 acres of his property close to a spring to build a town. Springfield was incorporated in 1838. The city’s economy took off with the arrival of the St. Louis-San Francisco Railway in 1870, earning its “Queen City” nickname. The city was a point along the infamous Trail of Tears. In 1838, the U.S. government removed the Cherokees from their lands in Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina, and Georgia. Thousands died during the forced march to Oklahoma. The Springfield area where the Native Americans walked is called the Old Wire Road.

The Cost of Living in Springfield

Your paycheck will go further in Springfield (population: 167,376). Its cost of living rate and housing and transportation costs are 10.8%, 24.1%, and 15.3% lower than the national average respectively. Median gross rent in the city is $730 while the median rate for a two-bedroom apartment is $950. Missouri’s progressive income tax rate ranges from 0% for the lowest earners to 5.40% for high earners. The state collects a 4.225% sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Downtown Springfield is a walkable area with an array of housing options, from apartments and lofts to condos and bungalows. About half of Springfield proper’s residents are renters. In the suburbs, Nixa, Ozark, and Republic are a short drive to Springfield. They have a small-town ambiance but with all the amenities, plus they have great schools.

Shopping in the City

Springfield offers the best shopping in southern Missouri, beginning with Battlefield Mall, which has 150 name-brand stores. Outdoorsy people will love the flagship store of Bass Pro Shops, which is based in Springfield. Bass Pro Shops is one of the country’s largest retailers of outdoor recreation merchandise. You can also take a day trip to Branson, 44 miles away, for shopping and entertainment. Hunt for bargains at Tanger Outlets with over 2,000 stores. Branson Landing, featuring 100 stores, restaurants, and accommodations, is also a major shopping destination.