Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Alexandria, VA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 40.8% cheaper than Alexandria, VA. This translates to saving $3064 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Alexandria, VA?

If you earn $150,000 in Alexandria, VA, you'd need approximately $113,236.935 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Alexandria, VA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 65.4% cheaper than in Alexandria, VA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $2,003/month in Alexandria, VA.

How much can I save per month by moving from Alexandria, VA to St. Louis, MO?

Moving from Alexandria, VA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $3064 per month, or $36763 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Alexandria, VA vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Alexandria, VA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Washington, DC area

Current salary in Alexandria, VA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.1K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $113.2K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV area

Overall Cost

↓ 40.8%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,064

Savings

Annual Impact

$36.8K

Per year

Based on monthly living costs (rent, groceries, utilities, transport, healthcare). Home purchase prices shown separately below.

Alexandria, VA

Population:155K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$674K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:59

Median Home:$145K

Alexandria, VA

The Old Dominion State

155K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Virginia, this city has a population of 155K residents.

St. Louis, MO

The Show-Me State

302K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 302K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: Alexandria, VA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Alexandria, VA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,409/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $3,538less	65.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,824/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $608less	33.3%
📦Other	$1,766/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $159less	9.0%
🛒Groceries	$1,062/mo	$949/mo	↓ $112less	10.6%
🏥Healthcare	$622/mo	$527/mo	↓ $95.01less	15.3%
⚡All Utilities	$500/mo	$535/mo	↑ $35.62more	7.1%

🏠Housing

↓ 65.4%

Alexandria, VA

$5,409

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$3,538

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 33.3%

Alexandria, VA

$1,824

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$608

less

📦Other

↓ 9.0%

Alexandria, VA

$1,766

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$159

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.6%

Alexandria, VA

$1,062

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$112

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 15.3%

Alexandria, VA

$622

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$95.01

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 7.1%

Alexandria, VA

$500

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$35.62

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

St. Louis, MO: St. Louis Earnings Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

Alexandria, VA has no local income tax.

Local taxes are in addition to state income tax. Not all cities levy local income taxes.

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,744

To$910

↓ $834

1 Bed

From$1,797

To$950

↓ $847

2 Bed

From$2,003

To$1,160

↓ $843

3 Bed

From$2,529

To$1,490

↓ $1,039

Alexandria, VAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,920–$2,900/mo

St. Louis, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $800–$1,480/mo

💡 Note: Rent prices are based on HUD Fair Market Rent data and represent median costs. Actual prices vary by neighborhood, amenities, and condition. Source: HUD Small Area Fair Market Rents FY2026.

$11,182

Monthly in Alexandria, VA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$4,476

Difference

Home Values

Alexandria

St. Louis

$674K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +0.4%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +14.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$433K - $1.03M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 79% less expensive than Alexandria

Calculate payment - Alexandria Calculate payment - St. Louis

Source: Zillow Home Value Index (ZHVI), January 2026

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $439

Per year

Monthly Difference

$36.54

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Alexandria, VA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Virginia State Tax

Effective: 5.6%

$8.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.3%

$45.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,718/month

$104.6K

St. Louis, MO

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Missouri State Tax

Effective: 5.3%

$7.9K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.0%

$44.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,755/month

$105.1K

Additional Tax Information

Alexandria, VA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.7%

Property Tax:0.8%

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%

Property Tax:1.0%

💡 Note: Tax calculations are estimates based on 2024/2025 tax brackets for single filers with standard deduction. Actual taxes may vary based on filing status, deductions, credits, and local variations.