Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Fort Lee, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 27.2% cheaper than Fort Lee, NJ. This translates to saving $2043 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Fort Lee, NJ, you'd need approximately $125,479.381 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 41.5% cheaper than in Fort Lee, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $2,691/month in Fort Lee, NJ.

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

Moving from Fort Lee, NJ to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $2043 per month, or $24521 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Fort Lee, NJ — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Jersey City, NJ area

Current salary in Fort Lee, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.0K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $125.5K 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

↓ 27.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,043

Savings

Annual Impact

$24.5K

Per year

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

Fort Lee, NJ

Population:40K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$576K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:73

Median Home:$145K

Fort Lee, NJ

The Garden State

40K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 40K 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: Fort Lee, NJ vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Fort Lee, NJ	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$3,200/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $1,328less	41.5%
📦Other	$1,938/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $331less	17.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,529/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $313less	20.5%
🏥Healthcare	$673/mo	$527/mo	↓ $146less	21.7%
🛒Groceries	$1,075/mo	$949/mo	↓ $126less	11.7%
⚡All Utilities	$583/mo	$535/mo	↓ $47.05less	8.1%

🏠Housing

↓ 41.5%

Fort Lee, NJ

$3,200

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$1,328

less

📦Other

↓ 17.1%

Fort Lee, NJ

$1,938

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$331

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 20.5%

Fort Lee, NJ

$1,529

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$313

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 21.7%

Fort Lee, NJ

$673

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$146

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 11.7%

Fort Lee, NJ

$1,075

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$126

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 8.1%

Fort Lee, NJ

$583

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$47.05

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Fort Lee, 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$2,057

To$910

↓ $1,147

1 Bed

From$2,342

To$950

↓ $1,392

2 Bed

From$2,691

To$1,160

↓ $1,531

3 Bed

From$3,285

To$1,490

↓ $1,795

Fort Lee, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,880–$2,880/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.

$8,996

Monthly in Fort Lee, NJ

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$2,291

Difference

Home Values

Fort Lee

St. Louis

$576K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +3.6%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +30%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$576K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 75% less expensive than Fort Lee

Calculate payment - Fort Lee 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

Fort Lee, 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

Fort Lee, 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.