Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Hickory, NC?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 4.4% cheaper than Hickory, NC. This translates to saving $333 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Hickory, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Hickory, NC, you'd need approximately $146,009.927 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Hickory, NC and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 10.3% cheaper than in Hickory, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $957/month in Hickory, NC.

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

Moving from Hickory, NC to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $333 per month, or $3990 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Hickory, NC vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Hickory, NC — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Charlotte, NC area

Current salary in Hickory, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $333/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $146.0K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 4.4%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$333

Savings

Annual Impact

$4.0K

Per year

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

Hickory, NC

Population:44K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$270K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:96

Median Home:$145K

Hickory, NC

The Tar Heel State

44K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 44K 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: Hickory, NC vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Hickory, NC	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,085/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $214less	10.3%
🏥Healthcare	$618/mo	$527/mo	↓ $91.59less	14.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,128/mo	$1,216/mo	↑ $87.57more	7.8%
⚡All Utilities	$503/mo	$535/mo	↑ $32.60more	6.5%
🛒Groceries	$958/mo	$949/mo	↓ $9.08less	0.9%
📦Other	$1,603/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $4.54more	0.3%

🏠Housing

↓ 10.3%

Hickory, NC

$2,085

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$214

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 14.8%

Hickory, NC

$618

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$91.59

less

🚗Transportation

↑ 7.8%

Hickory, NC

$1,128

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$87.57

⚡All Utilities

↑ 6.5%

Hickory, NC

$503

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$32.60

🛒Groceries

↓ 0.9%

Hickory, NC

$958

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$9.08

less

📦Other

↑ 0.3%

Hickory, NC

$1,603

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$4.54

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Hickory, NC 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$750

To$910

↑ $160

1 Bed

From$790

To$950

↑ $160

2 Bed

From$957

To$1,160

↑ $203

3 Bed

From$1,201

To$1,490

↑ $289

Hickory, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $940–$1,040/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.

$6,895

Monthly in Hickory, NC

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$190

Difference

Home Values

Hickory

St. Louis

$270K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +44.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$244K - $296K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 46% less expensive than Hickory

Calculate payment - Hickory Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $804

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$67.00

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.5%

Rate difference

Hickory, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

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

Hickory, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.