Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Chester, PA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 6.2% cheaper than Chester, PA. This translates to saving $464 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Chester, PA?

If you earn $150,000 in Chester, PA, you'd need approximately $144,436.781 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Chester, PA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 1.9% cheaper than in Chester, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,114/month in Chester, PA.

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

Moving from Chester, PA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $464 per month, or $5563 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Chester, PA vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Chester, PA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Philadelphia, PA area

Current salary in Chester, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $464/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $144.4K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area

Overall Cost

↓ 6.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$464

Savings

Annual Impact

$5.6K

Per year

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

Chester, PA

Population:34K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$112K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:94

Median Home:$145K

Chester, PA

The Keystone State

34K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 34K 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: Chester, PA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Chester, PA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🛒Groceries	$1,057/mo	$949/mo	↓ $108less	10.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,302/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $86.03less	6.6%
🏥Healthcare	$581/mo	$527/mo	↓ $54.59less	9.4%
⚡All Utilities	$581/mo	$535/mo	↓ $45.10less	7.8%
🏠Housing	$1,907/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $36.32less	1.9%
📦Other	$1,626/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $18.92less	1.2%

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.2%

Chester, PA

$1,057

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$108

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 6.6%

Chester, PA

$1,302

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$86.03

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 9.4%

Chester, PA

$581

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$54.59

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 7.8%

Chester, PA

$581

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$45.10

less

🏠Housing

↓ 1.9%

Chester, PA

$1,907

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$36.32

less

📦Other

↓ 1.2%

Chester, PA

$1,626

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$18.92

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Chester, PA: Chester Earned Income Tax$4,950/yr (3.3%)

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

Net difference-$3,450/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$857

To$910

↑ $53.00

1 Bed

From$935

To$950

↑ $15.00

2 Bed

From$1,114

To$1,160

↑ $46.00

3 Bed

From$1,332

To$1,490

↑ $158

Chester, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,200–$1,200/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.

$7,054

Monthly in Chester, PA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$349

Difference

Home Values

Chester

St. Louis

$112K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -1%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +64%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$112K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 30% more expensive than Chester

Calculate payment - Chester Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.3K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$277

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.2%

Rate difference

Chester, PA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Pennsylvania State Tax

Effective: 3.1%

$4.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.7%

$41.6K

Take-Home Pay

$9,032/month

$108.4K

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

Chester, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

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.