Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Philadelphia, PA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 14.0% cheaper than Philadelphia, PA. This translates to saving $1052 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Philadelphia, PA?

If you earn $150,000 in Philadelphia, PA, you'd need approximately $137,371.542 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Philadelphia, PA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 19.1% cheaper than in Philadelphia, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,660/month in Philadelphia, PA.

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

Moving from Philadelphia, PA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1052 per month, or $12628 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Philadelphia, PA

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St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Philadelphia, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.1K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $137.4K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area

Overall Cost

↓ 14.0%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,052

Savings

Annual Impact

$12.6K

Per year

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

Philadelphia, PA

Population:1584K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$241K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:86

Median Home:$145K

Philadelphia, PA

The Keystone State

1.6M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Birthplace of America
•Cheesesteak city
•Major East Coast hub

Major Industries

HealthcareEducationFinanceManufacturing

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: Philadelphia, PA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Philadelphia, PA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,313/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $442less	19.1%
🚗Transportation	$1,421/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $205less	14.4%
📦Other	$1,774/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $167less	9.4%
🛒Groceries	$1,104/mo	$949/mo	↓ $155less	14.0%
🏥Healthcare	$607/mo	$527/mo	↓ $80.54less	13.3%
⚡All Utilities	$607/mo	$535/mo	↓ $71.03less	11.7%

🏠Housing

↓ 19.1%

Philadelphia, PA

$2,313

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$442

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 14.4%

Philadelphia, PA

$1,421

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$205

less

📦Other

↓ 9.4%

Philadelphia, PA

$1,774

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$167

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 14.0%

Philadelphia, PA

$1,104

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$155

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 13.3%

Philadelphia, PA

$607

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$80.54

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 11.7%

Philadelphia, PA

$607

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$71.03

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Philadelphia, PA: Philadelphia Wage Tax (resident)$5,625/yr (3.8%)

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

Net difference-$4,125/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,280

To$910

↓ $370

1 Bed

From$1,390

To$950

↓ $440

2 Bed

From$1,660

To$1,160

↓ $500

3 Bed

From$1,990

To$1,490

↓ $500

Philadelphia, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,080–$2,280/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.

$7,826

Monthly in Philadelphia, PA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,121

Difference

Home Values

Philadelphia

St. Louis

$241K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +2.8%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +9%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$71K - $855K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 40% less expensive than Philadelphia

Calculate payment - Philadelphia Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.3K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$277

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.2%

Rate difference

Philadelphia, PA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Pennsylvania State Tax

Effective: 3.1%

$4.6K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.7%

$41.6K

Take-Home Pay

$9,032/month

$108.4K

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

Philadelphia, PA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.5%

Property Tax:1.4%

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.