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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 7.2% cheaper than Bethlehem, PA. This translates to saving $541 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Bethlehem, PA, you'd need approximately $143,502.382 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 3.0% cheaper than in Bethlehem, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,343/month in Bethlehem, PA.

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

Moving from Bethlehem, PA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $541 per month, or $6498 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Bethlehem, PA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Philadelphia, PA area

Current salary in Bethlehem, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $541/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $143.5K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 7.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$541

Savings

Annual Impact

$6.5K

Per year

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

Bethlehem, PA

Population:78K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$282K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:93

Median Home:$145K

Bethlehem, PA

The Keystone State

78K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 78K 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: Bethlehem, PA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Bethlehem, PA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🛒Groceries	$1,063/mo	$949/mo	↓ $114less	10.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,316/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $101less	7.6%
🏥Healthcare	$584/mo	$527/mo	↓ $57.83less	9.9%
🏠Housing	$1,929/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $57.66less	3.0%
⚡All Utilities	$584/mo	$535/mo	↓ $48.34less	8.3%
📦Other	$1,644/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $37.12less	2.3%

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.7%

Bethlehem, PA

$1,063

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$114

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 7.6%

Bethlehem, PA

$1,316

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$101

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 9.9%

Bethlehem, PA

$584

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$57.83

less

🏠Housing

↓ 3.0%

Bethlehem, PA

$1,929

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$57.66

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 8.3%

Bethlehem, PA

$584

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$48.34

less

📦Other

↓ 2.3%

Bethlehem, PA

$1,644

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$37.12

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Bethlehem, PA: Bethlehem Earned Income Tax$4,125/yr (2.8%)

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

Net difference-$2,625/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$929

To$910

↓ $19.00

1 Bed

From$1,103

To$950

↓ $153

2 Bed

From$1,343

To$1,160

↓ $183

3 Bed

From$1,717

To$1,490

↓ $227

Bethlehem, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,360–$1,440/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.

$7,120

Monthly in Bethlehem, PA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$415

Difference

Home Values

Bethlehem

St. Louis

$282K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +3.5%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +43.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$278K - $286K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 49% less expensive than Bethlehem

Calculate payment - Bethlehem 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

Bethlehem, 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

Bethlehem, 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.