A+
10%
Overall NAT. AVG.
9%
Goods & Services NAT. AVG.
19%
Housing NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.
The cost of living index is based on a national average of 100. For example, if the cost of living is 90, then it is 10% lower than average. If the cost of living is 110, then it is 10% higher than average. The breakdown for each index is as follows: goods & services (33%), groceries (13%), health care (5%), housing (30%), transportation (9%) and utilities (10%). If the cost of living data was unavailable for this city, estimates based upon nearby cities were used.
Index St. Louis Missouri National
Cost of living9088100
Goods & Services9292100
Groceries9795100
Health care8990100
Housing8178100
Transportation9491100
Utilities10299100

An Overview of Cost of Living in St. Louis, MO

Getting a feel for the cost of living in St. Louis is essential for anyone planning to relocate, as it empowers them to make informed financial decisions, secure a comfortable lifestyle and maintain financial stability in their new environment. The cost of living in St. Louis is 90, which is 10% lower than the national average. Relocating individuals may need to adjust their savings and investment strategies based on the cost of living in the new location. It influences decisions about retirement planning, investments and financial goals.

In St. Louis, daily expenses such as food, housing, goods and services, transportation and health care are in line with comparable areas and about average when compared to all cities across the nation. This ensures that the cost of living in St. Louis will resemble that of an average city, contributing to a manageable cost of living.

What Do Locals Say About the Cost of Living in St. Louis?

The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 46 locals to get their views on the cost of living in St. Louis. We surveyed the residents and asked them if they felt like prices were affordable or out of reach. The results were as follows. 35% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 65% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.

Is St. Louis Affordable?

Is St. Louis affordable? It's a key consideration when pondering a move, as affordability often shapes your choices. The cost of living index (we discussed it earlier), coupled with housing costs and income levels, serves as the cornerstone for determining a location's affordability. Take St. Louis, for instance, where the median home price falls 22.2% lower than the national average, and monthly rent rates are 11.5% lower than usual. Additionally, median income levels contribute to the equation, with St. Louis flaunting a median household income of $45,782, 17.2% lower than the national norm.

What Factors can Influence the Cost of Living in St. Louis?

Transportation: In cities with limited or no public transportation, residents may find it necessary to own and maintain vehicles, thereby elevating the cost of living. Monthly expenditures include fuel, insurance, routine maintenance and potential lease or financing commitments. In St. Louis, the transportation index stands at 6.5% lower than the national average.

Groceries: Grocery expenditures have undergone notable escalation over the last 2-3 years. In some markets, the cost of food products has surged by more than 20%, while others have experienced only modest increments. These fluctuations in food costs can have a significant impact on the overall cost of living in any region. In St. Louis, the groceries index registers 3.1% lower than the national average.

Housing: A sought-after location with high housing demand often leads to increased property values and rental rates, which can significantly inflate the overall cost of living. Conversely, areas with low housing demand, particularly in less desirable locales, tend to experience the opposite effect, causing prices to drop and contributing to a more affordable cost of living. In St. Louis, the housing index stands at 19% lower than the national average.

Where is the Data From?

The St. Louis cost of living data you see above is sourced from the C2ER cost of living index, providing a practical and accurate means of comparing living expenses in urban areas. Updated quarterly, this index gathers data from over 300 independent researchers, covering more than 60 goods and services, in 6 different categories. These selections are made meticulously to represent a wide range of consumer expenditure categories. The weightings applied to cost differences are based on government survey data that tracks spending patterns among professional and executive households. It's important to note that while the C2ER index excludes data on sales or income tax rates, AreaVibes factors tax rates into the overall cost of living score for each region.

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Cost Of Living Quick Facts

  • The cost of living in St. Louis is 2% higher than the Missouri average
  • The cost of living in St. Louis is 10% lower than the national average
  • St. Louis housing is 19% lower than the national average
  • Missouri general sales tax is 17% lower than the national average
  • Missouri state income tax is 23% lower than the national average

Most Affordable Places to Live in and Around St. Louis

See all the best places to live around St. Louis

Compare St. Louis, MO Cost of Living

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      Salary Calculator

      This is how much you would need to earn in
      Price difference in compared to
      Cost of living index
      Goods & Services index
      Groceries index
      Health care index
      Housing index
      Transportation index
      Utilities index

      Median Income & Debt-To-Income Ratio

      Median Income Per Year Per Month Max Budget (28% DTI) Max Budget (36% DTI)
      Owners$69,574$5,798$1,623$2,087
      Renters$32,450$2,704$757$974
      The percent of monthly income spent on housing can be a good indicator of the affordability of housing in St. Louis, MO, as well as the overall cost of living. As a general rule of thumb, the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) for homeowners or renters should be not more than 28 percent of gross income to be spent on housing related costs and not more than 36 percent of income on all expenses, including debts. The median income for St. Louis homeowners, is $69,574. This would allow for a maximum of $1,623 per month to be spent on housing costs. For renters, the median monthly income is $32,450 which would result in a maximum of $757 to be spent on rental costs.

      Missouri Sales Tax

      State General Sales Tax With Max Surtax
      Missouri 4.225% 10.85%

      Missouri Income Tax

      State Income Tax (Low) Income Tax (High)
      Missouri 2% 4.95%

      Goods & Services

      Item St. Louis National avg. Difference
      Haircut $21.19$24.2612.7%
      Beauty Salon $40.57$45.5611.0%
      Toothpaste $3.75$3.701.3%
      Shampoo $1.11$1.2813.3%
      Movie $11.28$12.137.1%
      Bowling $16.92$18.006.0%

      Groceries

      Item St. Louis National avg. Difference
      Ground Beef $6.40$5.849.7%
      Fried Chicken $1.36$1.5713.3%
      Milk $4.50$4.673.7%
      Potatoes $5.28$4.936.9%
      Pizza $10.84$12.0910.3%
      Beer $9.47$10.419.1%

      Health Care

      Item St. Louis National avg. Difference
      Optometrist $125.72$125.680.0%
      Doctor $124.51$135.788.3%
      Dentist $100.78$113.2911.0%
      Ibuprofen $10.14$10.654.8%
      Lipitor $520.16$468.6011.0%

      Housing

      Item St. Louis National avg. Difference
      Home Price $143,700.00$184,700.0022.2%
      Avg. Mortgage Payment $1,737.43$2,346.6926.0%
      Apartment Rent $840.00$949.0011.5%

      Transportation

      Item St. Louis National avg. Difference
      Gasoline $3.20$3.467.6%
      Tire Balancing $50.00$59.9216.6%

      Utilities

      Item St. Louis National avg. Difference
      All Electricity $133.84$193.9931.0%
      Phone $188.69$192.251.9%
      Although the cost of living data is updated regularly, this cost of living information is to be used as estimates only as prices can change on an ongoing basis.

      Nearby cities with low cost of living

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      Champ, MO3945.9%
      Brooklyn, IL4287327.0%
      East St. Louis, IL26,3597723.4%
      East Carondelet, IL3177723.2%
      Alorton, IL2,0777723.2%
      St. Louis, MO304,709909.8%

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Cost of Living Index National Avg.
      St. Paul, MN305,8771022.0%
      Cincinnati, OH302,687954.7%
      Pittsburgh, PA301,286954.8%
      Henderson, NV309,95511818.3%
      Stockton, CA311,10312525.1%
      St. Louis, MO304,709909.8%
      Date & Last Updated: This data reflects 2023 and was released from C2ER in January, 2024; this is the most current data available.