Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Gary, IN?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 12.5% cheaper than Gary, IN. This translates to saving $936 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Gary, IN?

If you earn $150,000 in Gary, IN, you'd need approximately $138,767.755 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Gary, IN and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 26.3% cheaper than in Gary, IN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $915/month in Gary, IN.

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

Moving from Gary, IN to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $936 per month, or $11232 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Gary, IN vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Gary, IN — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Chicago, IL area

Current salary in Gary, IN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $936/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $138.8K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 12.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$936

Savings

Annual Impact

$11.2K

Per year

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

Gary, IN

Population:68K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$80K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:88

Median Home:$145K

Gary, IN

The Hoosier State

68K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Indiana, this city has a population of 68K 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: Gary, IN vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Gary, IN	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,538/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $667less	26.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,545/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $329less	21.3%
🏥Healthcare	$570/mo	$527/mo	↓ $43.73less	7.7%
⚡All Utilities	$498/mo	$535/mo	↑ $37.70more	7.6%
🛒Groceries	$987/mo	$949/mo	↓ $37.69less	3.8%
📦Other	$1,616/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $9.30less	0.6%

🏠Housing

↓ 26.3%

Gary, IN

$2,538

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$667

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 21.3%

Gary, IN

$1,545

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$329

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 7.7%

Gary, IN

$570

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$43.73

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 7.6%

Gary, IN

$498

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$37.70

🛒Groceries

↓ 3.8%

Gary, IN

$987

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$37.69

less

📦Other

↓ 0.6%

Gary, IN

$1,616

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$9.30

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Gary, IN: Lake County Income Tax$2,250/yr (1.5%)

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

Net difference-$750/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$664

To$910

↑ $246

1 Bed

From$750

To$950

↑ $200

2 Bed

From$915

To$1,160

↑ $245

3 Bed

From$1,118

To$1,490

↑ $372

Gary, INZIP-level data

1BR range: $880–$1,160/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.

$7,754

Monthly in Gary, IN

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,049

Difference

Home Values

Gary

St. Louis

$80K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -4.2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +47.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$54K - $141K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 80% more expensive than Gary

Calculate payment - Gary Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.1K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$257

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.1%

Rate difference

Gary, IN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Indiana State Tax

Effective: 3.2%

$4.8K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.9%

$41.9K

Take-Home Pay

$9,012/month

$108.1K

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

Gary, IN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.0%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.