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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 17.2% cheaper than Clifton, NJ. This translates to saving $1289 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Clifton, NJ, you'd need approximately $134,537.768 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 5.5% cheaper than in Clifton, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,910/month in Clifton, NJ.

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

Moving from Clifton, NJ to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1289 per month, or $15462 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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

Current salary in Clifton, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.3K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $134.5K 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

↓ 17.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,289

Savings

Annual Impact

$15.5K

Per year

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

Clifton, NJ

Population:88K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$599K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:83

Median Home:$145K

Clifton, NJ

The Garden State

88K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 88K 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: Clifton, NJ vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Clifton, NJ	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
📦Other	$1,970/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $363less	18.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,555/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $339less	21.8%
🏥Healthcare	$678/mo	$527/mo	↓ $152less	22.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,084/mo	$949/mo	↓ $135less	12.4%
🏠Housing	$1,979/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $108less	5.5%
⚡All Utilities	$587/mo	$535/mo	↓ $51.91less	8.8%

📦Other

↓ 18.4%

Clifton, NJ

$1,970

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$363

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 21.8%

Clifton, NJ

$1,555

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$339

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 22.4%

Clifton, NJ

$678

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$152

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 12.4%

Clifton, NJ

$1,084

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$135

less

🏠Housing

↓ 5.5%

Clifton, NJ

$1,979

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$108

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 8.8%

Clifton, NJ

$587

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$51.91

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Clifton, 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$1,463

To$910

↓ $553

1 Bed

From$1,666

To$950

↓ $716

2 Bed

From$1,910

To$1,160

↓ $750

3 Bed

From$2,331

To$1,490

↓ $841

Clifton, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,960–$2,280/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.

$7,854

Monthly in Clifton, NJ

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,148

Difference

Home Values

Clifton

St. Louis

$599K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +3.3%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +44%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$574K - $639K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 76% less expensive than Clifton

Calculate payment - Clifton 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

Clifton, 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

Clifton, 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.