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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

๐Ÿ“ Columbia, MO โ€” ZIP-level rent data ยท COL adjusted from St. Louis, MO area

$

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You'd save $130/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $148.4K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates ยท COL index from area
Overall Cost
โ†“ 1.7%
Less expensive
Monthly Impact
$130
Savings
Annual Impact
$1.6K
Per year

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

Columbia, MO

Population:129K
Cost Index:100
Median Home:$328K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K
Cost Index:98
Median Home:$145K

Columbia, MO

The Show-Me State

129K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 129K 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: Columbia, MO vs St. Louis, MO

๐Ÿ Housing
โ†“ 1.7%
Columbia, MO
$1,904
St. Louis, MO
$1,871
Difference
$32.91
less
๐Ÿ“ฆOther
โ†“ 1.7%
Columbia, MO
$1,635
St. Louis, MO
$1,607
Difference
$28.27
less
๐Ÿš—Transportation
โ†“ 1.7%
Columbia, MO
$1,237
St. Louis, MO
$1,216
Difference
$21.39
less
๐Ÿ›’Groceries
โ†“ 0.9%
Columbia, MO
$958
St. Louis, MO
$949
Difference
$8.31
less
โšกAll Utilities
โ†“ 0.9%
Columbia, MO
$540
St. Louis, MO
$535
Difference
$4.69
less
๐ŸฅHealthcare
โ†“ 0.9%
Columbia, MO
$531
St. Louis, MO
$527
Difference
$4.61
less

๐Ÿ›๏ธ Local Income Taxes

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

Columbia, MO has no local income tax.

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

๐Ÿ Rent Comparison

Studio
From$834
To$910
โ†‘ $76.00
1 Bed
From$1,058
To$950
โ†“ $108
2 Bed
From$1,211
To$1,160
โ†“ $51.00
3 Bed
From$1,638
To$1,490
โ†“ $148
Columbia, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,010โ€“$1,040/mo

St. Louis, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $800โ€“$1,480/mo

๐Ÿ’ก 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.

$6,805
Monthly in Columbia, MO
$6,705
Monthly in St. Louis, MO
$100
Difference

Home Values

Columbia
St. Louis
$328K
Median Value
$145K
โ†‘ +3.4%
YoY Change
โ†“ -0.8%
โ†‘ +38.5%
5-Year Change
โ†‘ +10.9%
$268K - $360K
Price Range
$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 56% less expensive than Columbia

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
โ†’ $0
Same taxes
Monthly Difference
$0
Same take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.0%
Rate difference

Columbia, 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

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

Columbia, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.0%

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.0%

๐Ÿ’ก 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.

Environment

Columbia
St. Louis
54 Moderate
Air Quality
54 Moderate
38%
Good Air Days
38%
99 High
Climate Risk
99 High
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐Ÿซจ
Top Hazards
๐ŸŒŠ๐ŸŒก๐Ÿซจ
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
39 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
39 days
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
2050 Outlook
โ–ฒ+3.0ยฐF
39 days
Heat Days >95ยฐF
39 days

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