Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Baltimore, MD?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 17.9% cheaper than Baltimore, MD. This translates to saving $1344 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Baltimore, MD?

If you earn $150,000 in Baltimore, MD, you'd need approximately $133,867.925 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Baltimore, MD and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 40.0% cheaper than in Baltimore, MD. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,770/month in Baltimore, MD.

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

Moving from Baltimore, MD to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1344 per month, or $16132 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Baltimore, MD vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Baltimore, MD

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.3K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $133.9K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD area

Overall Cost

↓ 17.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,344

Savings

Annual Impact

$16.1K

Per year

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

Baltimore, MD

Population:586K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$218K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:82

Median Home:$145K

Baltimore, MD

The Old Line State

586K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Maryland, this city has a population of 586K 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: Baltimore, MD vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Baltimore, MD	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,118/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $1,247less	40.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,380/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $164less	11.9%
🛒Groceries	$1,089/mo	$949/mo	↓ $140less	12.8%
📦Other	$1,707/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $100less	5.9%
⚡All Utilities	$607/mo	$535/mo	↓ $71.03less	11.7%
🏥Healthcare	$589/mo	$527/mo	↓ $61.96less	10.5%

🏠Housing

↓ 40.0%

Baltimore, MD

$3,118

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$1,247

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 11.9%

Baltimore, MD

$1,380

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$164

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 12.8%

Baltimore, MD

$1,089

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$140

less

📦Other

↓ 5.9%

Baltimore, MD

$1,707

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$100

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 11.7%

Baltimore, MD

$607

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$71.03

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 10.5%

Baltimore, MD

$589

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$61.96

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Baltimore, MD: Baltimore City Income Tax$4,800/yr (3.2%)

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

Net difference-$3,300/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,270

To$910

↓ $360

1 Bed

From$1,450

To$950

↓ $500

2 Bed

From$1,770

To$1,160

↓ $610

3 Bed

From$2,280

To$1,490

↓ $790

Baltimore, MDZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,450–$1,790/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.

$8,490

Monthly in Baltimore, MD

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,785

Difference

Home Values

Baltimore

St. Louis

$218K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -0.6%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +20%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$72K - $469K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 34% less expensive than Baltimore

Calculate payment - Baltimore Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $669

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$55.75

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.4%

Rate difference

Baltimore, MD

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Maryland State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.3K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.5%

$44.3K

Take-Home Pay

$8,811/month

$105.7K

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

Baltimore, MD Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

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.