Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Lakeland, FL?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 13.0% cheaper than Lakeland, FL. This translates to saving $977 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Lakeland, FL?

If you earn $150,000 in Lakeland, FL, you'd need approximately $138,272.343 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Lakeland, FL and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 20.8% cheaper than in Lakeland, FL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,304/month in Lakeland, FL.

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

Moving from Lakeland, FL to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $977 per month, or $11728 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Lakeland, FL vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Lakeland, FL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Tampa, FL area

Current salary in Lakeland, FL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $977/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $138.3K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL area

Overall Cost

↓ 13.0%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$977

Savings

Annual Impact

$11.7K

Per year

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

Lakeland, FL

Population:122K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$256K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:87

Median Home:$145K

Lakeland, FL

The Sunshine State

122K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Florida, this city has a population of 122K residents.

💡 Advantage: Florida has no state income tax!

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: Lakeland, FL vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Lakeland, FL	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,362/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $491less	20.8%
📦Other	$1,756/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $149less	8.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,004/mo	$949/mo	↓ $55.17less	5.5%
🏥Healthcare	$562/mo	$527/mo	↓ $35.11less	6.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,247/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $31.34less	2.5%
⚡All Utilities	$565/mo	$535/mo	↓ $29.93less	5.3%

🏠Housing

↓ 20.8%

Lakeland, FL

$2,362

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$491

less

📦Other

↓ 8.5%

Lakeland, FL

$1,756

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$149

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 5.5%

Lakeland, FL

$1,004

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$55.17

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 6.2%

Lakeland, FL

$562

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$35.11

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.5%

Lakeland, FL

$1,247

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$31.34

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 5.3%

Lakeland, FL

$565

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$29.93

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Lakeland, FL 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$1,069

To$910

↓ $159

1 Bed

From$1,073

To$950

↓ $123

2 Bed

From$1,304

To$1,160

↓ $144

3 Bed

From$1,763

To$1,490

↓ $273

Lakeland, FLZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,180–$1,410/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.

$7,497

Monthly in Lakeland, FL

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$792

Difference

Home Values

Lakeland

St. Louis

$256K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -4.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +37.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$228K - $307K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 43% less expensive than Lakeland

Calculate payment - Lakeland Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.9K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$661

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.3%

Rate difference

Lakeland, FL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Florida State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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

Lakeland, FL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

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.