Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Olympia, WA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 20.6% cheaper than Olympia, WA. This translates to saving $1548 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Olympia, WA?

If you earn $150,000 in Olympia, WA, you'd need approximately $131,429.17 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Olympia, WA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 37.0% cheaper than in Olympia, WA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,575/month in Olympia, WA.

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

Moving from Olympia, WA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1548 per month, or $18571 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Olympia, WA vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Olympia, WA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Tacoma, WA area

Current salary in Olympia, WA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.5K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $131.4K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 20.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,548

Savings

Annual Impact

$18.6K

Per year

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

Olympia, WA

Population:56K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$542K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:79

Median Home:$145K

Olympia, WA

The Evergreen State

56K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Located in Washington, this city has a population of 56K residents.

💡 Advantage: Washington has no state income tax!

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: Olympia, WA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Olympia, WA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,972/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $1,101less	37.0%
🚗Transportation	$1,842/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $626less	34.0%
🏥Healthcare	$812/mo	$527/mo	↓ $285less	35.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,063/mo	$949/mo	↓ $114less	10.7%
⚡All Utilities	$474/mo	$535/mo	↑ $61.89more	13.1%
📦Other	$1,591/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $15.60more	1.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 37.0%

Olympia, WA

$2,972

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$1,101

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 34.0%

Olympia, WA

$1,842

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$626

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 35.1%

Olympia, WA

$812

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$285

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.7%

Olympia, WA

$1,063

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$114

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 13.1%

Olympia, WA

$474

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$61.89

📦Other

↑ 1.0%

Olympia, WA

$1,591

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$15.60

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Olympia, WA 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$1,237

To$910

↓ $327

1 Bed

From$1,352

To$950

↓ $402

2 Bed

From$1,575

To$1,160

↓ $415

3 Bed

From$2,103

To$1,490

↓ $613

Olympia, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,640–$1,710/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.

$8,754

Monthly in Olympia, WA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$2,048

Difference

Home Values

Olympia

St. Louis

$542K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +0.5%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +27.7%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$539K - $562K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 73% less expensive than Olympia

Calculate payment - Olympia Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.9K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$661

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.3%

Rate difference

Olympia, WA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Washington State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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

Olympia, WA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.2%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.