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

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 8.1% cheaper than Scranton, PA. This translates to saving $608 per month.

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

If you earn $150,000 in Scranton, PA, you'd need approximately $142,703.521 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

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

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 4.9% more expensive than in Scranton, PA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $954/month in Scranton, PA.

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

Moving from Scranton, PA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $608 per month, or $7296 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Scranton, PA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Newark, NJ area

Current salary in Scranton, PA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $608/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $142.7K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 8.1%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$608

Savings

Annual Impact

$7.3K

Per year

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

Scranton, PA

Population:76K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$192K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:92

Median Home:$145K

Scranton, PA

The Keystone State

76K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Pennsylvania, this city has a population of 76K 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: Scranton, PA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Scranton, PA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🚗Transportation	$1,401/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $185less	13.2%
📦Other	$1,776/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $169less	9.5%
🏥Healthcare	$644/mo	$527/mo	↓ $117less	18.2%
🏠Housing	$1,784/mo	$1,871/mo	↑ $87.32more	4.9%
🛒Groceries	$1,029/mo	$949/mo	↓ $79.85less	7.8%
⚡All Utilities	$558/mo	$535/mo	↓ $22.16less	4.0%

🚗Transportation

↓ 13.2%

Scranton, PA

$1,401

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$185

less

📦Other

↓ 9.5%

Scranton, PA

$1,776

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$169

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 18.2%

Scranton, PA

$644

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$117

less

🏠Housing

↑ 4.9%

Scranton, PA

$1,784

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$87.32

🛒Groceries

↓ 7.8%

Scranton, PA

$1,029

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$79.85

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 4.0%

Scranton, PA

$558

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$22.16

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

Scranton, PA: Scranton Earned Income Tax$5,100/yr (3.4%)

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

Net difference-$3,600/yr

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

🏠Rent Comparison

Studio

From$659

To$910

↑ $251

1 Bed

From$782

To$950

↑ $168

2 Bed

From$954

To$1,160

↑ $206

3 Bed

From$1,241

To$1,490

↑ $249

Scranton, PAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,000–$1,090/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.

$7,191

Monthly in Scranton, PA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$486

Difference

Home Values

Scranton

St. Louis

$192K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +5.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +59.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$165K - $208K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 25% less expensive than Scranton

Calculate payment - Scranton 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

Scranton, 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

Scranton, 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.