St. Louis, MO vs Indianapolis, IN Cost of Living (2026)

St. Louis has a cost of living index of 89.4, about 10.6% below the national average. Housing runs below the national baseline, with a housing index of 78.8. Typical apartment rent is about $1,216 a month, and median home values are around $424,572. The median household income is approximately $54,000. The metro area's established suburbs carry higher values, but still significantly below coastal comparable markets. The city has faced economic challenges related to population decline and a shrinking tax base.

A $100,000 salary in an average-cost city stretches to about $111,900 in St. Louis. That extra room can make it easier to save, pay down debt, or stretch for a better housing setup. Several everyday categories, especially utilities and miscellaneous costs, stay below the national baseline.

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.

Indianapolis has a cost of living index of 89.8, about 10.2% below the national average. Housing runs below the national baseline, with a housing index of 75.9. Typical apartment rent is about $1,362 a month, and median home values are around $383,532. The median household income is approximately $64,000. The city's economy is centered on healthcare, life sciences, and manufacturing, and it has attracted investment from companies like Eli Lilly and Salesforce, which has added higher-wage employment to the mix.

A $100,000 salary in an average-cost city stretches to about $111,400 in Indianapolis. That extra room can make it easier to save, pay down debt, or stretch for a better housing setup. Several everyday categories, especially miscellaneous costs and utilities, stay below the national baseline.

Indiana has a flat state income tax of 3.05%, one of the lower rates in the Midwest. Marion County, which encompasses Indianapolis, adds a county income tax of about 2.02%, bringing the combined local and state rate to roughly 5%. That's a moderate and predictable tax burden. Property taxes in Indianapolis are comparably moderate, with effective rates typically running 0.8 to 1.2% of assessed value, among the lower ranges for Midwest metros.

Groceries in Indianapolis run below the national average, and transportation costs are also modest. The city is car-dependent, and public transit through IndyGo has limited reach, so vehicle ownership is necessary for most residents. Car insurance rates in Indiana are below the national average, reducing that recurring cost. Utility bills are moderate, with gas heating costs rising in the coldest winter months but offset by low summer cooling costs compared to Southern cities.