Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Altoona, PA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 3.7% cheaper than Altoona, PA. This translates to saving $275 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Altoona, PA?

If you earn $150,000 in Altoona, PA, you'd need approximately $146,700.551 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Altoona, PA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 5.4% cheaper than in Altoona, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,131/month in Altoona, PA.

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

Moving from Altoona, PA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $275 per month, or $3299 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Altoona, PA vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Altoona, PA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Pittsburgh, PA area

Current salary in Altoona, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $275/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $146.7K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 3.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$275

Savings

Annual Impact

$3.3K

Per year

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

Altoona, PA

Population:43K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$133K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:96

Median Home:$145K

Altoona, PA

The Keystone State

43K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 43K 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: Altoona, PA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Altoona, PA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$1,978/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $107less	5.4%
⚡All Utilities	$611/mo	$535/mo	↓ $75.48less	12.4%
🛒Groceries	$997/mo	$949/mo	↓ $47.23less	4.7%
📦Other	$1,631/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $23.67less	1.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,234/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $17.91less	1.5%
🏥Healthcare	$531/mo	$527/mo	↓ $3.86less	0.7%

🏠Housing

↓ 5.4%

Altoona, PA

$1,978

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$107

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 12.4%

Altoona, PA

$611

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$75.48

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 4.7%

Altoona, PA

$997

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$47.23

less

📦Other

↓ 1.5%

Altoona, PA

$1,631

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$23.67

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 1.5%

Altoona, PA

$1,234

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$17.91

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 0.7%

Altoona, PA

$531

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$3.86

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Altoona, PA 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$797

To$910

↑ $113

1 Bed

From$944

To$950

↑ $6.00

2 Bed

From$1,131

To$1,160

↑ $29.00

3 Bed

From$1,451

To$1,490

↑ $39.00

Altoona, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $930–$930/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.

$6,980

Monthly in Altoona, PA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$275

Difference

Home Values

Altoona

St. Louis

$133K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +3.8%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +13.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$129K - $138K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 8% more expensive than Altoona

Calculate payment - Altoona Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.3K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$277

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.2%

Rate difference

Altoona, PA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Pennsylvania State Tax

Effective: 3.1%

$4.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.7%

$41.6K

Take-Home Pay

$9,032/month

$108.4K

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

Altoona, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

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.