Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Portland, OR?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 33.1% cheaper than Portland, OR. This translates to saving $2481 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Portland, OR?

If you earn $150,000 in Portland, OR, you'd need approximately $120,230.769 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Portland, OR and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 60.2% cheaper than in Portland, OR. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,900/month in Portland, OR.

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

Moving from Portland, OR to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $2481 per month, or $29769 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Portland, OR

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St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Portland, OR

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $2.5K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $120.2K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA area

Overall Cost

↓ 33.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$2,481

Savings

Annual Impact

$29.8K

Per year

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

Portland, OR

Population:641K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$535K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:67

Median Home:$145K

Portland, OR

The Beaver State

641K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Climate

Oceanic

Notable Facts

•Craft beer capital
•Foodie destination
•Keep Portland Weird

Major Industries

TechnologyManufacturingFood & BeverageTourism

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: Portland, OR vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Portland, OR	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$4,704/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $2,833less	60.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,721/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $505less	29.4%
📦Other	$1,925/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $318less	16.5%
🏥Healthcare	$663/mo	$527/mo	↓ $136less	20.6%
🛒Groceries	$1,069/mo	$949/mo	↓ $120less	11.2%
⚡All Utilities	$475/mo	$535/mo	↑ $60.11more	12.6%

🏠Housing

↓ 60.2%

Portland, OR

$4,704

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$2,833

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 29.4%

Portland, OR

$1,721

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$505

less

📦Other

↓ 16.5%

Portland, OR

$1,925

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$318

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 20.6%

Portland, OR

$663

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$136

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 11.2%

Portland, OR

$1,069

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$120

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 12.6%

Portland, OR

$475

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$60.11

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Portland, OR: Multnomah County Preschool for All$1,500/yr (1.0%)

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

Net difference$0/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$1,555

To$910

↓ $645

1 Bed

From$1,655

To$950

↓ $705

2 Bed

From$1,900

To$1,160

↓ $740

3 Bed

From$2,590

To$1,490

↓ $1,100

Portland, ORZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,580–$2,030/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.

$10,557

Monthly in Portland, OR

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$3,852

Difference

Home Values

Portland

St. Louis

$535K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -1.2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +7.2%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$351K - $760K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

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

Calculate payment - Portland Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $7.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$632

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.1%

Rate difference

Portland, OR

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Oregon State Tax

Effective: 10.3%

$15.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 35.0%

$52.5K

Take-Home Pay

$8,123/month

$97.5K

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

Portland, OR Tax Rates

Sales Tax:0.0%

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.