St. Louis, MO Cost of Living (2026)

St. Louis has a cost of living index of 87, about 13% below the national average. The housing index is 68, well below the baseline. A one-bedroom apartment in St. Louis rents for around $850 to $1,200 per month, and median home prices in the city proper sit well below $200,000. The metro area's established suburbs carry higher values, but still significantly below coastal comparable markets. The median household income is approximately $52,000, and the city has faced economic challenges related to population decline and a shrinking tax base.

A $100,000 salary in St. Louis is worth approximately $115,000 relative to the national average. Workers earning national-market salaries here gain real financial advantage on housing, groceries, and daily expenses. The city has maintained a significant presence in healthcare (through BJC HealthCare and Saint Luke's), financial services, and a small but growing technology sector.

Missouri has a progressive income tax that tops out at 4.95%. St. Louis city collects its own earnings tax of 1% on residents and non-residents who work within the city limits. Residents of St. Louis County, which is a separate jurisdiction from the city, do not pay the city earnings tax. That distinction matters: some workers choose to live in the county specifically to avoid the city tax while still commuting in for work. Property taxes vary across the metro, with St. Louis City having higher effective rates than most surrounding counties.

St. Louis is one of the more affordable places in the country to eat at restaurants. A meal at a mid-range restaurant often costs 20 to 30% less than equivalent dining in major coastal cities. Grocery costs also run below the national average. The city is primarily car-dependent, but traffic is manageable even during peak hours by large-metro standards. The MetroLink light rail system runs from the airport through downtown to Clayton, covering a useful corridor for some commuters.