Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than New York, NY?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 48.2% cheaper than New York, NY. This translates to saving $3616 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in New York, NY?

If you earn $150,000 in New York, NY, you'd need approximately $106,607.143 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between New York, NY and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 75.5% cheaper than in New York, NY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $3,590/month in New York, NY.

How much can I save per month by moving from New York, NY to St. Louis, MO?

Moving from New York, NY to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $3616 per month, or $43393 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

New York, NY

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St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in New York, NY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.6K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $106.6K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA area

Overall Cost

↓ 48.2%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,616

Savings

Annual Impact

$43.4K

Per year

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

New York, NY

Population:8337K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$1.05M

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:52

Median Home:$145K

New York, NY

The Empire State

8.3M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Most populous city in the US
•Major global financial center
•World-renowned cultural hub

Major Industries

FinanceReal EstateTechnologyMedia

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: New York, NY vs St. Louis, MO

Category	New York, NY	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$7,648/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $5,777less	75.5%
📦Other	$2,034/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $427less	21.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,602/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $387less	24.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,165/mo	$949/mo	↓ $216less	18.5%
🏥Healthcare	$688/mo	$527/mo	↓ $161less	23.4%
⚡All Utilities	$600/mo	$535/mo	↓ $64.48less	10.7%

🏠Housing

↓ 75.5%

New York, NY

$7,648

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$5,777

less

📦Other

↓ 21.0%

New York, NY

$2,034

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$427

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 24.1%

New York, NY

$1,602

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$387

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 18.5%

New York, NY

$1,165

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$216

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 23.4%

New York, NY

$688

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$161

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 10.7%

New York, NY

$600

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$64.48

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

New York, NY: NYC Income Tax$5,689/yr (3.8%)

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

Net difference-$4,189/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$3,120

To$910

↓ $2,210

1 Bed

From$3,270

To$950

↓ $2,320

2 Bed

From$3,590

To$1,160

↓ $2,430

3 Bed

From$4,500

To$1,490

↓ $3,010

New York, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,260–$3,990/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.

$13,737

Monthly in New York, NY

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$7,032

Difference

Home Values

New York

St. Louis

$1.05M

Median Value

$145K

↓ -0.1%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↓ -5.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$471K - $3.49M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 86% less expensive than New York

Calculate payment - New York 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

Per year

Monthly Difference

$135

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.1%

Rate difference

New York, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

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

New York, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

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.