Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Lansing, MI?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 4.9% cheaper than Lansing, MI. This translates to saving $370 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Lansing, MI?

If you earn $150,000 in Lansing, MI, you'd need approximately $145,563.152 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Lansing, MI and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 15.4% more expensive than in Lansing, MI. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,321/month in Lansing, MI.

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

Moving from Lansing, MI to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $370 per month, or $4437 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Lansing, MI vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Lansing, MI — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Detroit, MI area

Current salary in Lansing, MI

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $370/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $145.6K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 4.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$370

Savings

Annual Impact

$4.4K

Per year

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

Lansing, MI

Population:112K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$156K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:95

Median Home:$145K

Lansing, MI

The Great Lakes State

112K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Michigan, this city has a population of 112K 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: Lansing, MI vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Lansing, MI	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🚗Transportation	$1,634/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $418less	25.6%
🏠Housing	$1,621/mo	$1,871/mo	↑ $250more	15.4%
📦Other	$1,741/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $134less	7.7%
🏥Healthcare	$575/mo	$527/mo	↓ $48.31less	8.4%
⚡All Utilities	$568/mo	$535/mo	↓ $32.87less	5.8%
🛒Groceries	$968/mo	$949/mo	↓ $18.75less	1.9%

🚗Transportation

↓ 25.6%

Lansing, MI

$1,634

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$418

less

🏠Housing

↑ 15.4%

Lansing, MI

$1,621

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$250

📦Other

↓ 7.7%

Lansing, MI

$1,741

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$134

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 8.4%

Lansing, MI

$575

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$48.31

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 5.8%

Lansing, MI

$568

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$32.87

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 1.9%

Lansing, MI

$968

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$18.75

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Lansing, MI: Lansing City Income Tax$1,500/yr (1.0%)

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

Net difference$0/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,009

To$910

↓ $99.00

1 Bed

From$1,050

To$950

↓ $100

2 Bed

From$1,321

To$1,160

↓ $161

3 Bed

From$1,695

To$1,490

↓ $205

Lansing, MIZIP-level data

1BR range: $890–$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.

$7,107

Monthly in Lansing, MI

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$402

Difference

Home Values

Lansing

St. Louis

$156K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +4.2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +36%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$119K - $253K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 7% less expensive than Lansing

Calculate payment - Lansing Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $1.6K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$130

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.0%

Rate difference

Lansing, MI

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Michigan State Tax

Effective: 4.3%

$6.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 28.9%

$43.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,884/month

$106.6K

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

Lansing, MI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.0%

Property Tax:1.4%

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.