Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Detroit, MI?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 1.1% cheaper than Detroit, MI. The two cities have very similar living costs.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Detroit, MI?

If you earn $150,000 in Detroit, MI, you'd need approximately $148,977.273 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Detroit, MI and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 20.0% more expensive than in Detroit, MI. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,225/month in Detroit, MI.

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

Moving from Detroit, MI to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $85 per month, or $1023 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Detroit, MI

Tap to swap

St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Detroit, MI

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $85.23/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $149.0K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI area

Overall Cost

↓ 1.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$85.23

Savings

Annual Impact

$1.0K

Per year

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

Detroit, MI

Population:639K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$86K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:99

Median Home:$145K

Detroit, MI

The Great Lakes State

639K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Michigan, this city has a population of 639K 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: Detroit, MI vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Detroit, MI	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🚗Transportation	$1,571/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $355less	22.6%
🏠Housing	$1,559/mo	$1,871/mo	↑ $312more	20.0%
📦Other	$1,674/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $66.96less	4.0%
🏥Healthcare	$564/mo	$527/mo	↓ $37.17less	6.6%
⚡All Utilities	$557/mo	$535/mo	↓ $21.86less	3.9%
🛒Groceries	$949/mo	$949/mo	→ $0	0.0%

🚗Transportation

↓ 22.6%

Detroit, MI

$1,571

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$355

less

🏠Housing

↑ 20.0%

Detroit, MI

$1,559

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$312

📦Other

↓ 4.0%

Detroit, MI

$1,674

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$66.96

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 6.6%

Detroit, MI

$564

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$37.17

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 3.9%

Detroit, MI

$557

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$21.86

less

🛒Groceries

→ 0.0%

Detroit, MI

$949

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

same

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Detroit, MI: Detroit City Income Tax$3,600/yr (2.4%)

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

Net difference-$2,100/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$875

To$910

↑ $35.00

1 Bed

From$975

To$950

↓ $25.00

2 Bed

From$1,225

To$1,160

↓ $65.00

3 Bed

From$1,495

To$1,490

↓ $5.00

Detroit, MIZIP-level data

1BR range: $830–$1,690/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.

$6,875

Monthly in Detroit, MI

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$169

Difference

Home Values

Detroit

St. Louis

$86K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -3.3%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +15.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$48K - $415K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 69% more expensive than Detroit

Calculate payment - Detroit Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $1.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$130

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.0%

Rate difference

Detroit, MI

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Michigan State Tax

Effective: 4.3%

$6.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 28.9%

$43.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,884/month

$106.6K

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

Detroit, MI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

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.

Environment

Detroit

St. Louis

55 Moderate

Air Quality

54 Moderate

32.8%

Good Air Days

38%

99 High

Climate Risk

99 High

🌊🌡🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🫨

▲+3.1°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.0°F

10 days

Heat Days >95°F

39 days

▲+3.1°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.0°F

10 days

Heat Days >95°F

39 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Michigan and Missouri on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Detroit, MI on a $150.0K salary

1.Indianapolis, IN

Save $85.23/mo

Similar cost to St. Louis, MO

Other cities in a similar price range

Raleigh, NC Charlotte, NC San Antonio, TX

Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

Detroit, MI

St. Louis, MO

You'd save $85.23/month moving to St. Louis, MO

Detroit, MI

St. Louis, MO

Detroit, MI

St. Louis, MO

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code26 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code19 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP25 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP19 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Detroit, MI

St. Louis, MO

Additional Tax Information

Detroit, MI Tax Rates

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to St. Louis, MO