The Springfield Public Schools (SPS) operates the Springfield public school system. SPS is the second largest school district in Missouri, with approximately 24,000 students enrolled. There are over 50 schools in total, including elementary, middle, and high schools, with the headquarters located at 940 N. Jefferson Ave. The district's website can be found at sps.org.

Major public high schools in Springfield include Central High School, Kickapoo High School, Glendale High School, and Hillcrest High School. Kickapoo High School is located in the southwestern part of Springfield and is recognized for its size and academic achievement. School district assignments are determined by residential address, so it is advisable to use the district locator feature on the SPS website before moving.

Property tax rates in Missouri are generally low, with Greene County, where Springfield is located, having an effective rate of about 1.0% to 1.2% of assessed value. In Missouri, property assessments are set at 19% of market value (for residential properties), resulting in significantly lower actual tax amounts compared to other states. For example, a home valued at $300,000 would have an assessed value of about $57,000, and the annual tax amount is calculated based on this assessed value.

Property tax payments are due by December 31 each year, and payments can be made online, by mail, or in person through the Greene County Collector of Revenue. Missouri requires property tax receipts to be submitted when renewing vehicle registrations, so it is important to keep this document safe. Tax relief benefits in the form of Circuit Breaker Credit are available for seniors aged 65 and older or certain disabled individuals.

The annual budget of the Springfield city government is approximately $400 million to $500 million, allocated to public safety (police and fire), road infrastructure, parks and recreation, and water and sewer services. A significant portion of the budget is funded by sales tax revenue. The total sales tax rate in Springfield is about 8.1%, which includes the Missouri state base rate of 4.225% plus additional city and county rates (with slight variations depending on the area).

The education budget is managed independently by SPS, with primary funding coming from state education grants, local property taxes, and federal government subsidies. SPS's annual operating budget is around $300 million, and the per-student education cost is similar to the Missouri state average. Various support programs, including special education, English Language Learner (ELL) programs, and Free & Reduced Lunch, are also in place.

The homeownership rate in the Springfield area is about 52%, with a rental rate of approximately 48%, which is relatively high. The median home price is around $180,000 to $220,000, significantly lower than the national average. This reflects the overall housing cost level in Missouri, making it a region where economic living is possible due to the low proportion of housing costs relative to the cost of living. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is about $700 to $900 per month.

The unemployment rate in the Springfield area is similar to or slightly lower than the Missouri state average, maintaining a range of about 3% to 4% (fluctuating by season). The local economy is relatively stable, with a balanced distribution of various industries, including healthcare and biotech (CoxHealth, Mercy Hospital, etc.), education (Missouri State University), retail (Bass Pro Shops headquarters), manufacturing, and services. The Missouri Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) also recognizes this area as a small city with growth potential.