Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Columbia, TN?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 8.1% cheaper than Columbia, TN. This translates to saving $607 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Columbia, TN?

If you earn $150,000 in Columbia, TN, you'd need approximately $142,718.534 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Columbia, TN and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 14.7% cheaper than in Columbia, TN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,031/month in Columbia, TN.

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

Moving from Columbia, TN to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $607 per month, or $7281 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Columbia, TN vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Columbia, TN — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Nashville, TN area

Current salary in Columbia, TN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $607/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $142.7K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 8.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$607

Savings

Annual Impact

$7.3K

Per year

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

Columbia, TN

Population:47K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$365K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:92

Median Home:$145K

Columbia, TN

The Volunteer State

47K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Tennessee, this city has a population of 47K residents.

💡 Advantage: Tennessee has no state income tax!

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, TN vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Columbia, TN	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,192/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $321less	14.7%
📦Other	$1,785/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $178less	9.9%
🏥Healthcare	$582/mo	$527/mo	↓ $55.44less	9.5%
🛒Groceries	$910/mo	$949/mo	↑ $39.25more	4.3%
⚡All Utilities	$498/mo	$535/mo	↑ $37.86more	7.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,180/mo	$1,216/mo	↑ $35.69more	3.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 14.7%

Columbia, TN

$2,192

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$321

less

📦Other

↓ 9.9%

Columbia, TN

$1,785

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$178

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 9.5%

Columbia, TN

$582

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$55.44

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 4.3%

Columbia, TN

$910

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$39.25

⚡All Utilities

↑ 7.6%

Columbia, TN

$498

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$37.86

🚗Transportation

↑ 3.0%

Columbia, TN

$1,180

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$35.69

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Columbia, TN 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$898

To$910

↑ $12.00

1 Bed

From$914

To$950

↑ $36.00

2 Bed

From$1,031

To$1,160

↑ $129

3 Bed

From$1,297

To$1,490

↑ $193

Columbia, TNZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,170–$1,170/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.

$7,147

Monthly in Columbia, TN

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$442

Difference

Home Values

Columbia

St. Louis

$365K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +1%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +44.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$365K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 60% less expensive than Columbia

Calculate payment - Columbia Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.9K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$661

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.3%

Rate difference

Columbia, TN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Tennessee State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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, TN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.5%

Property Tax:0.7%

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.