Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Burlington, NC?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 9.5% cheaper than Burlington, NC. This translates to saving $714 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Burlington, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Burlington, NC, you'd need approximately $141,426.801 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Burlington, NC and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 18.4% cheaper than in Burlington, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $964/month in Burlington, NC.

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

Moving from Burlington, NC to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $714 per month, or $8573 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Burlington, NC vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Burlington, NC — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Durham, NC area

Current salary in Burlington, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $714/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $141.4K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 9.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$714

Savings

Annual Impact

$8.6K

Per year

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

Burlington, NC

Population:60K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$218K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:90

Median Home:$145K

Burlington, NC

The Tar Heel State

60K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 60K 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: Burlington, NC vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Burlington, NC	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,294/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $423less	18.4%
📦Other	$1,674/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $67.07less	4.0%
🏥Healthcare	$589/mo	$527/mo	↓ $62.70less	10.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,235/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $18.99less	1.5%
🛒Groceries	$941/mo	$949/mo	↑ $8.61more	0.9%
⚡All Utilities	$536/mo	$535/mo	↓ $0.33less	0.1%

🏠Housing

↓ 18.4%

Burlington, NC

$2,294

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$423

less

📦Other

↓ 4.0%

Burlington, NC

$1,674

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$67.07

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 10.6%

Burlington, NC

$589

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$62.70

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 1.5%

Burlington, NC

$1,235

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$18.99

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.9%

Burlington, NC

$941

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$8.61

⚡All Utilities

↓ 0.1%

Burlington, NC

$536

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$0.33

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Burlington, NC 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$711

To$910

↑ $199

1 Bed

From$875

To$950

↑ $75.00

2 Bed

From$964

To$1,160

↑ $196

3 Bed

From$1,193

To$1,490

↑ $297

Burlington, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,070–$1,070/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.

$7,269

Monthly in Burlington, NC

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$563

Difference

Home Values

Burlington

St. Louis

$218K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -0.2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +53.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$218K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

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

Calculate payment - Burlington Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $804

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$67.00

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.5%

Rate difference

Burlington, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

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

Burlington, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.