Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Bowling Green, KY?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 8.4% cheaper than Bowling Green, KY. This translates to saving $629 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Bowling Green, KY?

If you earn $150,000 in Bowling Green, KY, you'd need approximately $142,452.521 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Bowling Green, KY and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 14.9% cheaper than in Bowling Green, KY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $968/month in Bowling Green, KY.

How much can I save per month by moving from Bowling Green, KY to St. Louis, MO?

Moving from Bowling Green, KY to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $629 per month, or $7547 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Bowling Green, KY vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Bowling Green, KY — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Nashville, TN area

Current salary in Bowling Green, KY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $629/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $142.5K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 8.4%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$629

Savings

Annual Impact

$7.5K

Per year

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

Bowling Green, KY

Population:76K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$335K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:92

Median Home:$145K

Bowling Green, KY

The Bluegrass State

76K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Kentucky, this city has a population of 76K 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: Bowling Green, KY vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Bowling Green, KY	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,199/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $328less	14.9%
📦Other	$1,790/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $183less	10.2%
🏥Healthcare	$583/mo	$527/mo	↓ $56.38less	9.7%
🛒Groceries	$912/mo	$949/mo	↑ $37.78more	4.1%
⚡All Utilities	$498/mo	$535/mo	↑ $37.05more	7.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,184/mo	$1,216/mo	↑ $31.88more	2.7%

🏠Housing

↓ 14.9%

Bowling Green, KY

$2,199

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$328

less

📦Other

↓ 10.2%

Bowling Green, KY

$1,790

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$183

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 9.7%

Bowling Green, KY

$583

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$56.38

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 4.1%

Bowling Green, KY

$912

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$37.78

⚡All Utilities

↑ 7.4%

Bowling Green, KY

$498

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$37.05

🚗Transportation

↑ 2.7%

Bowling Green, KY

$1,184

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$31.88

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Bowling Green, KY: Bowling Green Occupational Tax$2,700/yr (1.8%)

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

Net difference-$1,200/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$748

To$910

↑ $162

1 Bed

From$823

To$950

↑ $127

2 Bed

From$968

To$1,160

↑ $192

3 Bed

From$1,164

To$1,490

↑ $326

Bowling Green, KYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,010–$1,090/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.

$7,167

Monthly in Bowling Green, KY

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$461

Difference

Home Values

Bowling Green

St. Louis

$335K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +2.4%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +34.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$319K - $352K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 57% less expensive than Bowling Green

Calculate payment - Bowling Green 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

Bowling Green, KY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Kentucky 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

Bowling Green, KY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

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.