| Index | St. Louis | Missouri | National |
| Cost of living | 91 | 90 | 100 |
| Groceries | 96 | 96 | 100 |
| Health care | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Housing | 81 | 77 | 100 |
| Transportation | 97 | 96 | 100 |
| Utilities | 95 | 95 | 100 |
| Lifestyle & Entertainment | 94 | 95 | 100 |
| Household Items | 95 | 97 | 100 |
| Education & Childcare | 94 | 95 | 100 |
Understanding the cost of living in St. Louis can help future residents assess whether their current financial situation aligns with the expenses they will encounter. It enables them to plan for potential changes in their budget and lifestyle. The St. Louis cost of living index is 91, which is 9% lower than the national average. The cost of living index is calculated by taking into account multiple categories, which encompass both the cost of everyday expenditures and larger expenses as well.
The cost of living in St. Louis aligns closely with the national average when compared to other cities across the nation. Everyday essentials such as groceries, household expenses, health care and utility bills are priced at a level consistent with the average in similar urban areas. St. Louis residents can anticipate that their daily expenses won't be significantly higher than those in an average city, ensuring that the cost of living remains manageable.
The real experts on a city are its residents. That's why we reached out to 50 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. 32% found it budget-friendly with decreasing prices, while 68% said it's simply not affordable as prices have continued to rise.
Is St. Louis an affordable place to live? It's a good question and one that you might want to ask when considering any new city, as affordability can play a huge role in the decision making process. The cost of living index (which we covered above), as well as housing costs and income levels play a vital role in determining the affordability of an area. The median home price in St. Louis is 21.7% lower than the national average, while the average monthly rent prices are 11.4% lower than average. The affordability of any location can also be influenced by median income levels. St. Louis has a median household income of $66,997, which is 17.6% lower than the national average.
Subsidies: Some cities and states may extend government subsidies or aid programs aimed at reducing the cost of living for their residents. These initiatives encompass diverse forms of support, including Medicare, Medicaid, housing subsidies, low-income home energy assistance programs, school lunch programs, supplemental nutrition assistance programs, student loans, electric vehicle tax credits, affordable care act subsidies and farm subsidies. Regions with limited subsidy provisions may witness an increase in their overall cost of living.
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 2.8% lower than the national average.
Urbanization: Urban areas with a wealth of amenities and employment opportunities tend to come with a higher price tag for living. Why? Well, more people want to be there, which drives up home prices and rents. On the flip side, less densely populated rural areas or places where there's not as much demand usually mean fewer attractions, things to do and slower job growth. That often results in a lower cost of living.
The St. Louis cost of living data displayed above uses a U.S. average baseline of 100 to provide a practical way to compare living expenses across cities. Housing estimates incorporate U.S. Census home price and rental data, while all other values are generated using AI-assisted models based on everyday expense expectations, regional pricing trends, climate, transportation patterns, and local economic conditions. These values are designed for directional city-to-city comparisons.
| Cost of living index | |
| Groceries index | |
| Health care index | |
| Housing index | |
| Transportation index | |
| Utilities index | |
| Lifestyle index | |
| Household index | |
| Educare index |
| Median Income | Per Year | Per Month | Max Budget (28% DTI) | Max Budget (36% DTI) |
| Owners | $102,112 | $8,509 | $2,382 | $3,064 |
| Renters | $48,436 | $4,036 | $1,130 | $1,453 |
| State | General Sales Tax | With Max Surtax |
| Missouri | 4.225% | 10.85% |
| State | Income Tax (Low) | Income Tax (High) |
| Missouri | 2% | 4.95% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| Champ, MO | 3 | 96 | 4.1% |
| Brooklyn, IL | 445 | 74 | 26.2% |
| East St. Louis, IL | 27,033 | 77 | 22.5% |
| Alorton, IL | 2,149 | 78 | 22.3% |
| East Carondelet, IL | 330 | 78 | 22.2% |
| St. Louis, MO | 315,543 | 91 | 8.9% |
| City | Population | Cost of Living Index | National Avg. |
| St. Paul, MN | 315,338 | 105 | 4.6% |
| Stockton, CA | 318,307 | 128 | 27.6% |
| Henderson, NV | 320,734 | 126 | 26.5% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 310,293 | 96 | 3.8% |
| Cincinnati, OH | 309,429 | 92 | 8.1% |
| St. Louis, MO | 315,543 | 91 | 8.9% |
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