Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than McLean, VA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 39.3% cheaper than McLean, VA. This translates to saving $2949 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in McLean, VA?

If you earn $150,000 in McLean, VA, you'd need approximately $114,606.42 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between McLean, VA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 64.5% cheaper than in McLean, VA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $2,245/month in McLean, VA.

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

Moving from McLean, VA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $2949 per month, or $35394 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

McLean, VA vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 McLean, VA — COL adjusted from Washington, DC area + state data

Current salary in McLean, VA

Numbers update automatically as you type

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

$150.0K in your current city equals $114.6K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 39.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,949

Savings

Annual Impact

$35.4K

Per year

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

McLean, VA

Population:51K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$556K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:61

Median Home:$145K

McLean, VA

The Old Dominion State

51K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Virginia, this city has a population of 51K 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: McLean, VA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	McLean, VA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$5,273/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $3,402less	64.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,778/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $563less	31.6%
📦Other	$1,721/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $114less	6.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,048/mo	$949/mo	↓ $98.89less	9.4%
🏥Healthcare	$614/mo	$527/mo	↓ $87.17less	14.2%
⚡All Utilities	$494/mo	$535/mo	↑ $41.92more	8.5%

🏠Housing

↓ 64.5%

McLean, VA

$5,273

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$3,402

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 31.6%

McLean, VA

$1,778

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$563

less

📦Other

↓ 6.6%

McLean, VA

$1,721

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$114

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 9.4%

McLean, VA

$1,048

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$98.89

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 14.2%

McLean, VA

$614

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$87.17

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 8.5%

McLean, VA

$494

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$41.92

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

McLean, VA 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$1,524

To$910

↓ $614

1 Bed

From$1,764

To$950

↓ $814

2 Bed

From$2,245

To$1,160

↓ $1,085

3 Bed

From$3,127

To$1,490

↓ $1,637

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.

$10,928

Monthly in McLean, VA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$4,223

Difference

Home Values

McLean

St. Louis

Median Value

$145K

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $439

Per year

Monthly Difference

$36.54

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

McLean, VA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Virginia State Tax

Effective: 5.6%

$8.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.3%

$45.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,718/month

$104.6K

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

McLean, VA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.7%

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.