Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Plainfield, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 16.3% cheaper than Plainfield, NJ. This translates to saving $1221 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Plainfield, NJ?

If you earn $150,000 in Plainfield, NJ, you'd need approximately $135,347.288 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Plainfield, NJ and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 4.4% cheaper than in Plainfield, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,431/month in Plainfield, NJ.

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

Moving from Plainfield, NJ to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1221 per month, or $14653 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Plainfield, NJ vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Plainfield, NJ — COL adjusted from Newark, NJ area + state data

Current salary in Plainfield, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

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

$150.0K in your current city equals $135.3K 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

↓ 16.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,221

Savings

Annual Impact

$14.7K

Per year

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

Plainfield, NJ

Population:55K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$484K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:84

Median Home:$145K

Plainfield, NJ

The Garden State

55K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 55K 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: Plainfield, NJ vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Plainfield, NJ	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
📦Other	$1,949/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $342less	17.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,538/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $322less	20.9%
🏥Healthcare	$675/mo	$527/mo	↓ $148less	21.9%
🛒Groceries	$1,078/mo	$949/mo	↓ $129less	12.0%
🏠Housing	$1,958/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $86.83less	4.4%
⚡All Utilities	$584/mo	$535/mo	↓ $48.74less	8.3%

📦Other

↓ 17.5%

Plainfield, NJ

$1,949

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$342

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 20.9%

Plainfield, NJ

$1,538

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$322

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 21.9%

Plainfield, NJ

$675

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$148

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 12.0%

Plainfield, NJ

$1,078

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$129

less

🏠Housing

↓ 4.4%

Plainfield, NJ

$1,958

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$86.83

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 8.3%

Plainfield, NJ

$584

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$48.74

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Plainfield, NJ 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$981

To$910

↓ $71.00

1 Bed

From$1,145

To$950

↓ $195

2 Bed

From$1,431

To$1,160

↓ $271

3 Bed

From$1,963

To$1,490

↓ $473

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.

$7,782

Monthly in Plainfield, NJ

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,077

Difference

Home Values

Plainfield

St. Louis

Median Value

$145K

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $499

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$41.54

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Plainfield, NJ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New Jersey State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,796/month

$105.6K

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

Plainfield, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%

Property Tax:2.5%

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.