Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Chicago, IL?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 19.5% cheaper than Chicago, IL. This translates to saving $1464 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Chicago, IL?

If you earn $150,000 in Chicago, IL, you'd need approximately $132,432.932 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Chicago, IL and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 39.0% cheaper than in Chicago, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,925/month in Chicago, IL.

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

Moving from Chicago, IL to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1464 per month, or $17567 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Chicago, IL

Tap to swap

St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Chicago, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.5K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $132.4K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI area

Overall Cost

↓ 19.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,464

Savings

Annual Impact

$17.6K

Per year

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

Chicago, IL

Population:2746K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$305K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:80

Median Home:$145K

Chicago, IL

The Prairie State

2.7M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Continental

Notable Facts

•Major transportation hub
•Architectural landmark city
•Great Lakes location

Major Industries

FinanceTechnologyManufacturingTransportation

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: Chicago, IL vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Chicago, IL	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,066/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $1,195less	39.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,680/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $464less	27.6%
📦Other	$1,758/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $151less	8.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$949/mo	↓ $79.94less	7.8%
🏥Healthcare	$595/mo	$527/mo	↓ $68.15less	11.5%
⚡All Utilities	$519/mo	$535/mo	↑ $16.39more	3.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 39.0%

Chicago, IL

$3,066

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$1,195

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 27.6%

Chicago, IL

$1,680

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$464

less

📦Other

↓ 8.6%

Chicago, IL

$1,758

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$151

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.8%

Chicago, IL

$1,029

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$79.94

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 11.5%

Chicago, IL

$595

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$68.15

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 3.2%

Chicago, IL

$519

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$16.39

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Chicago, IL 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$1,600

To$910

↓ $690

1 Bed

From$1,710

To$950

↓ $760

2 Bed

From$1,925

To$1,160

↓ $765

3 Bed

From$2,480

To$1,490

↓ $990

Chicago, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,140–$2,370/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.

$8,648

Monthly in Chicago, IL

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,942

Difference

Home Values

Chicago

St. Louis

$305K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +1.8%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +10.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$116K - $611K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 53% less expensive than Chicago

Calculate payment - Chicago Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $504

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$42.00

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Chicago, IL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Illinois State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,797/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

Chicago, IL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:2.2%

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.