Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Rochester, NY?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 9.6% cheaper than Rochester, NY. This translates to saving $721 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Rochester, NY?

If you earn $150,000 in Rochester, NY, you'd need approximately $141,346.973 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Rochester, NY and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 11.2% cheaper than in Rochester, NY. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,633/month in Rochester, NY.

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

Moving from Rochester, NY to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $721 per month, or $8653 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Rochester, NY vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Rochester, NY — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Pittsburgh, PA area

Current salary in Rochester, NY

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $721/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $141.3K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 9.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$721

Savings

Annual Impact

$8.7K

Per year

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

Rochester, NY

Population:207K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$198K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:90

Median Home:$145K

Rochester, NY

The Empire State

207K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New York, this city has a population of 207K 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: Rochester, NY vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Rochester, NY	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,108/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $237less	11.2%
📦Other	$1,738/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $131less	7.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,315/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $99.09less	7.5%
⚡All Utilities	$631/mo	$535/mo	↓ $95.27less	15.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$949/mo	↓ $79.50less	7.7%
🏥Healthcare	$548/mo	$527/mo	↓ $21.04less	3.8%

🏠Housing

↓ 11.2%

Rochester, NY

$2,108

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$237

less

📦Other

↓ 7.5%

Rochester, NY

$1,738

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$131

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 7.5%

Rochester, NY

$1,315

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$99.09

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 15.1%

Rochester, NY

$631

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$95.27

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.7%

Rochester, NY

$1,029

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$79.50

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 3.8%

Rochester, NY

$548

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$21.04

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Rochester, NY 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$1,157

To$910

↓ $247

1 Bed

From$1,309

To$950

↓ $359

2 Bed

From$1,633

To$1,160

↓ $473

3 Bed

From$1,968

To$1,490

↓ $478

Rochester, NYZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,050–$1,880/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.

$7,368

Monthly in Rochester, NY

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$663

Difference

Home Values

Rochester

St. Louis

$198K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +2.3%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +45.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$90K - $334K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 27% less expensive than Rochester

Calculate payment - Rochester Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $1.6K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$135

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.1%

Rate difference

Rochester, NY

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New York State Tax

Effective: 6.4%

$9.5K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.0%

$46.6K

Take-Home Pay

$8,620/month

$103.4K

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

Rochester, NY Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:1.2%

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.