Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Downers Grove, IL?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 11.8% cheaper than Downers Grove, IL. This translates to saving $888 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Downers Grove, IL, you'd need approximately $139,345.31 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 25.7% cheaper than in Downers Grove, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,626/month in Downers Grove, IL.

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

Moving from Downers Grove, IL to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $888 per month, or $10655 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Downers Grove, IL vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Downers Grove, IL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Chicago, IL area

Current salary in Downers Grove, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $888/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $139.3K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 11.8%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$888

Savings

Annual Impact

$10.7K

Per year

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

Downers Grove, IL

Population:50K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$471K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:88

Median Home:$145K

Downers Grove, IL

The Prairie State

50K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 50K 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: Downers Grove, IL vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Downers Grove, IL	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,519/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $648less	25.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,534/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $318less	20.7%
🏥Healthcare	$568/mo	$527/mo	↓ $41.65less	7.3%
⚡All Utilities	$496/mo	$535/mo	↑ $39.52more	8.0%
🛒Groceries	$983/mo	$949/mo	↓ $34.09less	3.5%
📦Other	$1,605/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $2.47more	0.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 25.7%

Downers Grove, IL

$2,519

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$648

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 20.7%

Downers Grove, IL

$1,534

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$318

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 7.3%

Downers Grove, IL

$568

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$41.65

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 8.0%

Downers Grove, IL

$496

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$39.52

🛒Groceries

↓ 3.5%

Downers Grove, IL

$983

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$34.09

less

📦Other

↑ 0.2%

Downers Grove, IL

$1,605

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$2.47

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Downers Grove, 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$1,350

To$910

↓ $440

1 Bed

From$1,443

To$950

↓ $493

2 Bed

From$1,626

To$1,160

↓ $466

3 Bed

From$2,095

To$1,490

↓ $605

Downers Grove, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,850–$1,870/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.

$7,705

Monthly in Downers Grove, IL

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,000

Difference

Home Values

Downers Grove

St. Louis

$471K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +6.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +34.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$469K - $472K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 69% less expensive than Downers Grove

Calculate payment - Downers Grove 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

Downers Grove, 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

Downers Grove, 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.