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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 5.6% cheaper than Princeton, NJ. This translates to saving $417 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Princeton, NJ, you'd need approximately $144,993.722 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 1.3% cheaper than in Princeton, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $2,151/month in Princeton, NJ.

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

Moving from Princeton, NJ to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $417 per month, or $5006 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Princeton, NJ — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Philadelphia, PA area

Current salary in Princeton, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $417/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $145.0K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 5.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$417

Savings

Annual Impact

$5.0K

Per year

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

Princeton, NJ

Population:30K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$923K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:94

Median Home:$145K

Princeton, NJ

The Garden State

30K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 30K 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: Princeton, NJ vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Princeton, NJ	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🛒Groceries	$1,054/mo	$949/mo	↓ $104less	9.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,293/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $77.50less	6.0%
🏥Healthcare	$579/mo	$527/mo	↓ $52.68less	9.1%
⚡All Utilities	$579/mo	$535/mo	↓ $43.20less	7.5%
🏠Housing	$1,895/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $23.82less	1.3%
📦Other	$1,615/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $8.27less	0.5%

🛒Groceries

↓ 9.9%

Princeton, NJ

$1,054

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$104

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 6.0%

Princeton, NJ

$1,293

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$77.50

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 9.1%

Princeton, NJ

$579

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$52.68

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 7.5%

Princeton, NJ

$579

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$43.20

less

🏠Housing

↓ 1.3%

Princeton, NJ

$1,895

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$23.82

less

📦Other

↓ 0.5%

Princeton, NJ

$1,615

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$8.27

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Princeton, 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$1,493

To$910

↓ $583

1 Bed

From$1,706

To$950

↓ $756

2 Bed

From$2,151

To$1,160

↓ $991

3 Bed

From$2,577

To$1,490

↓ $1,087

Princeton, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $2,090–$2,320/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.

$7,015

Monthly in Princeton, NJ

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$310

Difference

Home Values

Princeton

St. Louis

$923K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +4%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +38%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$899K - $947K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 84% less expensive than Princeton

Calculate payment - Princeton 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

Princeton, 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

Princeton, 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.