Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Boston, MA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 41.6% cheaper than Boston, MA. This translates to saving $3121 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Boston, MA?

If you earn $150,000 in Boston, MA, you'd need approximately $112,550.336 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Boston, MA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 64.5% cheaper than in Boston, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $3,865/month in Boston, MA.

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

Moving from Boston, MA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $3121 per month, or $37450 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Boston, MA

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St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Boston, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.1K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $112.6K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area

Overall Cost

↓ 41.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,121

Savings

Annual Impact

$37.4K

Per year

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

Boston, MA

Population:685K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$961K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:58

Median Home:$145K

Boston, MA

The Bay State

685K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Continental

Notable Facts

•Major education center
•Biotech capital
•Historic American city

Major Industries

EducationHealthcareTechnologyFinance

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: Boston, MA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Boston, MA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,275/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $3,404less	64.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,830/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $615less	33.6%
📦Other	$1,825/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $218less	11.9%
🏥Healthcare	$743/mo	$527/mo	↓ $217less	29.2%
⚡All Utilities	$716/mo	$535/mo	↓ $180less	25.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,079/mo	$949/mo	↓ $130less	12.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 64.5%

Boston, MA

$5,275

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$3,404

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 33.6%

Boston, MA

$1,830

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$615

less

📦Other

↓ 11.9%

Boston, MA

$1,825

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$218

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 29.2%

Boston, MA

$743

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$217

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 25.2%

Boston, MA

$716

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$180

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 12.0%

Boston, MA

$1,079

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$130

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Boston, MA 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$3,095

To$910

↓ $2,185

1 Bed

From$3,255

To$950

↓ $2,305

2 Bed

From$3,865

To$1,160

↓ $2,705

3 Bed

From$4,630

To$1,490

↓ $3,140

Boston, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,560–$3,710/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.

$11,469

Monthly in Boston, MA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$4,764

Difference

Home Values

Boston

St. Louis

$961K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -0.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +7%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$709K - $3.40M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 85% less expensive than Boston

Calculate payment - Boston Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $429

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$35.75

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Boston, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

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

Boston, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

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.