Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Bellingham, WA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 23.2% cheaper than Bellingham, WA. This translates to saving $1741 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Bellingham, WA?

If you earn $150,000 in Bellingham, WA, you'd need approximately $129,109.442 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Bellingham, WA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 58.1% cheaper than in Bellingham, WA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,002/month in Bellingham, WA.

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

Moving from Bellingham, WA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1741 per month, or $20891 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Bellingham, WA vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Bellingham, WA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Seattle, WA area

Current salary in Bellingham, WA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.7K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $129.1K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 23.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,741

Savings

Annual Impact

$20.9K

Per year

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

Bellingham, WA

Population:95K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$639K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:77

Median Home:$145K

Bellingham, WA

The Evergreen State

95K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Washington, this city has a population of 95K residents.

💡 Advantage: Washington has no state income tax!

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: Bellingham, WA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Bellingham, WA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,468/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $2,597less	58.1%
📦Other	$1,301/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $306more	23.5%
⚡All Utilities	$390/mo	$535/mo	↑ $145more	37.2%
🏥Healthcare	$669/mo	$527/mo	↓ $142less	21.3%
🛒Groceries	$876/mo	$949/mo	↑ $73.41more	8.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,251/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $34.98less	2.8%

🏠Housing

↓ 58.1%

Bellingham, WA

$4,468

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$2,597

less

📦Other

↑ 23.5%

Bellingham, WA

$1,301

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$306

⚡All Utilities

↑ 37.2%

Bellingham, WA

$390

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$145

🏥Healthcare

↓ 21.3%

Bellingham, WA

$669

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$142

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 8.4%

Bellingham, WA

$876

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$73.41

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.8%

Bellingham, WA

$1,251

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$34.98

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Bellingham, WA 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$815

To$910

↑ $95.00

1 Bed

From$831

To$950

↑ $119

2 Bed

From$1,002

To$1,160

↑ $158

3 Bed

From$1,394

To$1,490

↑ $96.00

Bellingham, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,460–$1,510/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.

$8,955

Monthly in Bellingham, WA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$2,249

Difference

Home Values

Bellingham

St. Louis

$639K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +0.1%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +29.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$630K - $649K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 77% less expensive than Bellingham

Calculate payment - Bellingham Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.9K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$661

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.3%

Rate difference

Bellingham, WA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Washington State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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

Bellingham, WA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.2%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.