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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 15.5% cheaper than Norfolk, VA. This translates to saving $1165 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Norfolk, VA, you'd need approximately $136,019.417 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 31.4% cheaper than in Norfolk, VA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,630/month in Norfolk, VA.

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

Moving from Norfolk, VA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1165 per month, or $13981 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Norfolk, VA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.2K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $136.0K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC area

Overall Cost

↓ 15.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,165

Savings

Annual Impact

$14.0K

Per year

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

Norfolk, VA

Population:238K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$309K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:84

Median Home:$145K

Norfolk, VA

The Old Dominion State

238K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Virginia, this city has a population of 238K 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: Norfolk, VA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Norfolk, VA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,729/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $858less	31.4%
📦Other	$1,758/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $151less	8.6%
🏥Healthcare	$632/mo	$527/mo	↓ $105less	16.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,284/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $68.30less	5.3%
⚡All Utilities	$574/mo	$535/mo	↓ $38.25less	6.7%
🛒Groceries	$959/mo	$949/mo	↓ $9.99less	1.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 31.4%

Norfolk, VA

$2,729

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$858

less

📦Other

↓ 8.6%

Norfolk, VA

$1,758

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$151

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 16.7%

Norfolk, VA

$632

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$105

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 5.3%

Norfolk, VA

$1,284

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$68.30

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 6.7%

Norfolk, VA

$574

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$38.25

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 1.0%

Norfolk, VA

$959

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$9.99

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Norfolk, 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$1,420

To$910

↓ $510

1 Bed

From$1,440

To$950

↓ $490

2 Bed

From$1,630

To$1,160

↓ $470

3 Bed

From$2,260

To$1,490

↓ $770

Norfolk, VAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,240–$1,760/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.

$7,935

Monthly in Norfolk, VA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,230

Difference

Home Values

Norfolk

St. Louis

$309K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +0.2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +28.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$249K - $469K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 53% less expensive than Norfolk

Calculate payment - Norfolk 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

Norfolk, 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

Norfolk, 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.