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

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

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

If you earn $150,000 in Cary, NC, you'd need approximately $142,455.461 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 14.0% cheaper than in Cary, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,473/month in Cary, NC.

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

Moving from Cary, NC to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $629 per month, or $7545 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Cary, NC — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Raleigh, NC area

Current salary in Cary, NC

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 Raleigh-Cary, NC 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.

Cary, NC

Population:180K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$514K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:92

Median Home:$145K

Cary, NC

The Tar Heel State

180K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 180K 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: Cary, NC vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Cary, NC	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,175/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $304less	14.0%
🏥Healthcare	$595/mo	$527/mo	↓ $68.00less	11.4%
📦Other	$1,672/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $64.54less	3.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,257/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $41.30less	3.3%
⚡All Utilities	$541/mo	$535/mo	↓ $5.15less	1.0%
🛒Groceries	$949/mo	$949/mo	↑ $0.15more	0.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 14.0%

Cary, NC

$2,175

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$304

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 11.4%

Cary, NC

$595

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$68.00

less

📦Other

↓ 3.9%

Cary, NC

$1,672

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$64.54

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 3.3%

Cary, NC

$1,257

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$41.30

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 1.0%

Cary, NC

$541

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$5.15

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 0.0%

Cary, NC

$949

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$0.15

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Cary, 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$1,281

To$910

↓ $371

1 Bed

From$1,344

To$950

↓ $394

2 Bed

From$1,473

To$1,160

↓ $313

3 Bed

From$1,847

To$1,490

↓ $357

Cary, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,480–$1,750/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.

$7,188

Monthly in Cary, NC

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$483

Difference

Home Values

Cary

St. Louis

$514K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -2.1%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +44%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$481K - $548K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 72% less expensive than Cary

Calculate payment - Cary 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

Cary, 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

Cary, 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.