Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Seattle, WA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 49.4% cheaper than Seattle, WA. This translates to saving $3706 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Seattle, WA?

If you earn $150,000 in Seattle, WA, you'd need approximately $105,523.256 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Seattle, WA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 75.2% cheaper than in Seattle, WA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $2,630/month in Seattle, WA.

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

Moving from Seattle, WA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $3706 per month, or $44477 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

MoveNumbers

Seattle, WA

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St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Seattle, WA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $3.7K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $105.5K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA area

Overall Cost

↓ 49.4%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$3,706

Savings

Annual Impact

$44.5K

Per year

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

Seattle, WA

Population:749K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$808K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:51

Median Home:$145K

Seattle, WA

The Evergreen State

749K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Oceanic

Notable Facts

•Coffee culture birthplace
•Major tech center
•Pacific Northwest gateway

Major Industries

TechnologyAerospaceMaritime TradeCoffee Industry

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: Seattle, WA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Seattle, WA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$7,536/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $5,665less	75.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,899/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $683less	36.0%
📦Other	$1,975/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $368less	18.6%
🏥Healthcare	$824/mo	$527/mo	↓ $297less	36.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,079/mo	$949/mo	↓ $130less	12.0%
⚡All Utilities	$481/mo	$535/mo	↑ $54.64more	11.4%

🏠Housing

↓ 75.2%

Seattle, WA

$7,536

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$5,665

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 36.0%

Seattle, WA

$1,899

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$683

less

📦Other

↓ 18.6%

Seattle, WA

$1,975

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$368

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 36.1%

Seattle, WA

$824

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$297

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 12.0%

Seattle, WA

$1,079

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$130

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 11.4%

Seattle, WA

$481

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$54.64

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Seattle, WA 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$2,180

To$910

↓ $1,270

1 Bed

From$2,260

To$950

↓ $1,310

2 Bed

From$2,630

To$1,160

↓ $1,470

3 Bed

From$3,440

To$1,490

↓ $1,950

Seattle, WAZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,900–$3,210/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.

$13,794

Monthly in Seattle, WA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$7,089

Difference

Home Values

Seattle

St. Louis

$808K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -2.5%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +12.5%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$433K - $1.34M

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 82% less expensive than Seattle

Calculate payment - Seattle Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $7.9K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$661

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

5.3%

Rate difference

Seattle, WA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Washington State Tax

No state income tax

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 24.7%

$37.0K

Take-Home Pay

$9,416/month

$113.0K

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

Seattle, WA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:9.2%

Property Tax:0.9%

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.