Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Carteret, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 14.8% cheaper than Carteret, NJ. This translates to saving $1110 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Carteret, NJ?

If you earn $150,000 in Carteret, NJ, you'd need approximately $136,681.975 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Carteret, NJ and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 2.7% cheaper than in Carteret, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $2,162/month in Carteret, NJ.

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

Moving from Carteret, NJ to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1110 per month, or $13318 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Carteret, NJ vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Carteret, NJ — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Newark, NJ area

Current salary in Carteret, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.1K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $136.7K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area

Overall Cost

↓ 14.8%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,110

Savings

Annual Impact

$13.3K

Per year

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

Carteret, NJ

Population:25K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$540K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:85

Median Home:$145K

Carteret, NJ

The Garden State

25K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 25K 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: Carteret, NJ vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Carteret, NJ	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
📦Other	$1,915/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $308less	16.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,511/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $295less	19.5%
🏥Healthcare	$669/mo	$527/mo	↓ $142less	21.2%
🛒Groceries	$1,069/mo	$949/mo	↓ $119less	11.2%
🏠Housing	$1,924/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $52.75less	2.7%
⚡All Utilities	$579/mo	$535/mo	↓ $43.64less	7.5%

📦Other

↓ 16.1%

Carteret, NJ

$1,915

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$308

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 19.5%

Carteret, NJ

$1,511

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$295

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 21.2%

Carteret, NJ

$669

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$142

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 11.2%

Carteret, NJ

$1,069

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$119

less

🏠Housing

↓ 2.7%

Carteret, NJ

$1,924

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$52.75

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 7.5%

Carteret, NJ

$579

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$43.64

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Carteret, NJ 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$1,567

To$910

↓ $657

1 Bed

From$1,720

To$950

↓ $770

2 Bed

From$2,162

To$1,160

↓ $1,002

3 Bed

From$2,596

To$1,490

↓ $1,106

Carteret, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,140–$2,140/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.

$7,667

Monthly in Carteret, NJ

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$961

Difference

Home Values

Carteret

St. Louis

$540K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +4%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +46.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$540K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 73% less expensive than Carteret

Calculate payment - Carteret Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $499

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$41.54

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Carteret, NJ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New Jersey State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,796/month

$105.6K

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

Carteret, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%

Property Tax:2.5%

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.