Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Lawrence, MA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 38.6% cheaper than Lawrence, MA. This translates to saving $2898 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Lawrence, MA?

If you earn $150,000 in Lawrence, MA, you'd need approximately $115,220.054 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Lawrence, MA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 58.6% cheaper than in Lawrence, MA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,626/month in Lawrence, MA.

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

Moving from Lawrence, MA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $2898 per month, or $34780 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Lawrence, MA vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Lawrence, MA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Boston, MA area

Current salary in Lawrence, MA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.9K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $115.2K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH area

Overall Cost

↓ 38.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,898

Savings

Annual Impact

$34.8K

Per year

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

Lawrence, MA

Population:88K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$470K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:61

Median Home:$145K

Lawrence, MA

The Bay State

88K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Massachusetts, this city has a population of 88K 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: Lawrence, MA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Lawrence, MA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,518/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $2,647less	58.6%
🚗Transportation	$1,742/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $526less	30.2%
🏥Healthcare	$725/mo	$527/mo	↓ $199less	27.4%
⚡All Utilities	$698/mo	$535/mo	↓ $163less	23.3%
📦Other	$1,736/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $129less	7.5%
🛒Groceries	$1,053/mo	$949/mo	↓ $103less	9.8%

🏠Housing

↓ 58.6%

Lawrence, MA

$4,518

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$2,647

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 30.2%

Lawrence, MA

$1,742

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$526

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 27.4%

Lawrence, MA

$725

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$199

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 23.3%

Lawrence, MA

$698

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$163

less

📦Other

↓ 7.5%

Lawrence, MA

$1,736

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$129

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 9.8%

Lawrence, MA

$1,053

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$103

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Lawrence, MA 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$1,124

To$910

↓ $214

1 Bed

From$1,238

To$950

↓ $288

2 Bed

From$1,626

To$1,160

↓ $466

3 Bed

From$1,949

To$1,490

↓ $459

Lawrence, MAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,530–$1,820/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.

$10,473

Monthly in Lawrence, MA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$3,768

Difference

Home Values

Lawrence

St. Louis

$470K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +3.3%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +43.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$372K - $515K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 69% less expensive than Lawrence

Calculate payment - Lawrence Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $429

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$35.75

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Lawrence, MA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Massachusetts State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.7%

$44.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,791/month

$105.5K

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

Lawrence, MA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.3%

Property Tax:1.2%

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.