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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 7.5% cheaper than Reading, PA. This translates to saving $560 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Reading, PA, you'd need approximately $143,279.5 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 3.2% cheaper than in Reading, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,185/month in Reading, PA.

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

Moving from Reading, PA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $560 per month, or $6720 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Reading, PA vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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

Current salary in Reading, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $560/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $143.3K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 7.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$560

Savings

Annual Impact

$6.7K

Per year

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

Reading, PA

Population:95K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$173K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:93

Median Home:$145K

Reading, PA

The Keystone State

95K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 95K 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: Reading, PA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Reading, PA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🛒Groceries	$1,064/mo	$949/mo	↓ $115less	10.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,320/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $104less	7.9%
🏠Housing	$1,934/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $62.83less	3.2%
🏥Healthcare	$585/mo	$527/mo	↓ $58.61less	10.0%
⚡All Utilities	$585/mo	$535/mo	↓ $49.12less	8.4%
📦Other	$1,649/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $41.52less	2.5%

🛒Groceries

↓ 10.8%

Reading, PA

$1,064

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$115

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 7.9%

Reading, PA

$1,320

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$104

less

🏠Housing

↓ 3.2%

Reading, PA

$1,934

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$62.83

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 10.0%

Reading, PA

$585

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$58.61

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 8.4%

Reading, PA

$585

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$49.12

less

📦Other

↓ 2.5%

Reading, PA

$1,649

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$41.52

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Reading, PA: Reading Earned Income Tax$4,650/yr (3.1%)

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

Net difference-$3,150/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$813

To$910

↑ $97.00

1 Bed

From$932

To$950

↑ $18.00

2 Bed

From$1,185

To$1,160

↓ $25.00

3 Bed

From$1,453

To$1,490

↑ $37.00

Reading, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,080–$1,370/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.

$7,136

Monthly in Reading, PA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$431

Difference

Home Values

Reading

St. Louis

$173K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +5.2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +70.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$135K - $285K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 17% less expensive than Reading

Calculate payment - Reading 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

Reading, 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

Reading, 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.