Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Phoenix, AZ?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 15.7% cheaper than Phoenix, AZ. This translates to saving $1177 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Phoenix, AZ?

If you earn $150,000 in Phoenix, AZ, you'd need approximately $135,872.093 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Phoenix, AZ and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 32.9% cheaper than in Phoenix, AZ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,750/month in Phoenix, AZ.

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

Moving from Phoenix, AZ to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1177 per month, or $14128 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Phoenix, AZ

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St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Phoenix, AZ

Numbers update automatically as you type

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

$150.0K in your current city equals $135.9K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ area

Overall Cost

↓ 15.7%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,177

Savings

Annual Impact

$14.1K

Per year

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

Phoenix, AZ

Population:1608K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$414K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:84

Median Home:$145K

Phoenix, AZ

The Grand Canyon State

1.6M

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Hot desert

Notable Facts

•Fastest growing major city
•Desert metropolis
•Spring training capital

Major Industries

TechnologyHealthcareTourismManufacturing

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: Phoenix, AZ vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Phoenix, AZ	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,788/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $917less	32.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,489/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $273less	18.3%
📦Other	$1,677/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $70.31less	4.2%
🏥Healthcare	$589/mo	$527/mo	↓ $61.96less	10.5%
⚡All Utilities	$561/mo	$535/mo	↓ $25.68less	4.6%
🛒Groceries	$963/mo	$949/mo	↓ $13.99less	1.5%

🏠Housing

↓ 32.9%

Phoenix, AZ

$2,788

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$917

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 18.3%

Phoenix, AZ

$1,489

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$273

less

📦Other

↓ 4.2%

Phoenix, AZ

$1,677

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$70.31

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 10.5%

Phoenix, AZ

$589

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$61.96

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 4.6%

Phoenix, AZ

$561

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$25.68

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 1.5%

Phoenix, AZ

$963

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$13.99

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Phoenix, AZ 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$1,390

To$910

↓ $480

1 Bed

From$1,510

To$950

↓ $560

2 Bed

From$1,750

To$1,160

↓ $590

3 Bed

From$2,330

To$1,490

↓ $840

Phoenix, AZZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,300–$2,380/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.

$8,068

Monthly in Phoenix, AZ

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,362

Difference

Home Values

Phoenix

St. Louis

$414K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -3.1%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +30.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$274K - $957K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 65% less expensive than Phoenix

Calculate payment - Phoenix Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $2.7K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$225

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.8%

Rate difference

Phoenix, AZ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Arizona State Tax

Effective: 3.5%

$5.2K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 28.2%

$42.2K

Take-Home Pay

$8,979/month

$107.8K

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

Phoenix, AZ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.5%

Property Tax:0.6%

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.