Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Austin, MN?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 4.3% cheaper than Austin, MN. This translates to saving $322 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Austin, MN?

If you earn $150,000 in Austin, MN, you'd need approximately $146,135.12 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Austin, MN and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 11.1% cheaper than in Austin, MN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $787/month in Austin, MN.

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

Moving from Austin, MN to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $322 per month, or $3865 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Austin, MN vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Austin, MN — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Saint Paul, MN area

Current salary in Austin, MN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $322/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $146.1K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 4.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$322

Savings

Annual Impact

$3.9K

Per year

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

Austin, MN

Population:26K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$181K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:96

Median Home:$145K

Austin, MN

The North Star State

26K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Minnesota, this city has a population of 26K 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: Austin, MN vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Austin, MN	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,106/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $235less	11.1%
🏥Healthcare	$703/mo	$527/mo	↓ $177less	25.1%
📦Other	$1,493/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $114more	7.7%
⚡All Utilities	$473/mo	$535/mo	↑ $62.66more	13.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,194/mo	$1,216/mo	↑ $21.30more	1.8%
🛒Groceries	$958/mo	$949/mo	↓ $8.36less	0.9%

🏠Housing

↓ 11.1%

Austin, MN

$2,106

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$235

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 25.1%

Austin, MN

$703

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$177

less

📦Other

↑ 7.7%

Austin, MN

$1,493

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$114

⚡All Utilities

↑ 13.3%

Austin, MN

$473

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$62.66

🚗Transportation

↑ 1.8%

Austin, MN

$1,194

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$21.30

🛒Groceries

↓ 0.9%

Austin, MN

$958

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$8.36

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Austin, MN 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$545

To$910

↑ $365

1 Bed

From$603

To$950

↑ $347

2 Bed

From$787

To$1,160

↑ $373

3 Bed

From$1,016

To$1,490

↑ $474

Austin, MNZIP-level data

1BR range: $820–$820/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.

$6,927

Monthly in Austin, MN

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$222

Difference

Home Values

Austin

St. Louis

$181K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +5.3%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +41.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$181K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 20% less expensive than Austin

Calculate payment - Austin Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.5K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$209

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.7%

Rate difference

Austin, MN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Minnesota State Tax

Effective: 7.0%

$10.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.6%

$47.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,546/month

$102.6K

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

Austin, MN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.0%

Property Tax:1.1%

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.