Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Rock Island, IL?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 4.6% cheaper than Rock Island, IL. This translates to saving $347 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Rock Island, IL?

If you earn $150,000 in Rock Island, IL, you'd need approximately $145,841.044 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Rock Island, IL and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 13.1% cheaper than in Rock Island, IL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $827/month in Rock Island, IL.

How much can I save per month by moving from Rock Island, IL to St. Louis, MO?

Moving from Rock Island, IL to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $347 per month, or $4159 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Rock Island, IL vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Rock Island, IL — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Madison, WI area

Current salary in Rock Island, IL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $347/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $145.8K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 4.6%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$347

Savings

Annual Impact

$4.2K

Per year

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

Rock Island, IL

Population:36K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$122K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:95

Median Home:$145K

Rock Island, IL

The Prairie State

36K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Illinois, this city has a population of 36K 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: Rock Island, IL vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Rock Island, IL	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,154/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $283less	13.1%
🏥Healthcare	$670/mo	$527/mo	↓ $143less	21.4%
⚡All Utilities	$474/mo	$535/mo	↑ $61.85more	13.1%
🛒Groceries	$894/mo	$949/mo	↑ $55.19more	6.2%
📦Other	$1,556/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $51.01more	3.3%
🚗Transportation	$1,222/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $6.53less	0.5%

🏠Housing

↓ 13.1%

Rock Island, IL

$2,154

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$283

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 21.4%

Rock Island, IL

$670

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$143

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 13.1%

Rock Island, IL

$474

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$61.85

🛒Groceries

↑ 6.2%

Rock Island, IL

$894

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$55.19

📦Other

↑ 3.3%

Rock Island, IL

$1,556

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$51.01

🚗Transportation

↓ 0.5%

Rock Island, IL

$1,222

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$6.53

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Rock Island, IL 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$591

To$910

↑ $319

1 Bed

From$672

To$950

↑ $278

2 Bed

From$827

To$1,160

↑ $333

3 Bed

From$1,085

To$1,490

↑ $405

Rock Island, ILZIP-level data

1BR range: $910–$910/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.

$6,970

Monthly in Rock Island, IL

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$264

Difference

Home Values

Rock Island

St. Louis

$122K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +3.2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +19.8%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$122K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 19% more expensive than Rock Island

Calculate payment - Rock Island Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $504

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$42.00

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Rock Island, IL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Illinois State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,797/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

Rock Island, IL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.8%

Property Tax:2.2%

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.