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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Data: HUD rent estimates, BLS cost of living

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You'd spend $345/month more in Lincoln, NE

$150.0K in your current city equals $154.1K in Lincoln, NE

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from St. Louis, MO-IL area
Overall Cost
↑ 4.6%
More expensive
Monthly Impact
$345
Extra cost
Annual Impact
$4.1K
Per year

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

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K
Cost Index:
100
100 = national average
Median Home:$145K

Lincoln, NE

Population:295K
Cost Index:
105
(5% above avg)
Median Home:$274K

St. Louis, MO

The Show-Me State

302K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Missouri, this city has a population of 302K residents.

Lincoln, NE

The Cornhusker State

295K
Population
State Tax
Yes

Located in Nebraska, this city has a population of 295K residents.

Cost Breakdown by Category

Annual spending: St. Louis, MO vs Lincoln, NE

Housing
↑ 12.5%
St. Louis, MO
$1,871
Lincoln, NE
$2,105
Difference
$234
more
Healthcare
↑ 29.4%
St. Louis, MO
$527
Lincoln, NE
$682
Difference
$155
more
All Utilities
↓ 12.2%
St. Louis, MO
$535
Lincoln, NE
$470
Difference
$65.57
less
Other
↓ 2.1%
St. Louis, MO
$1,607
Lincoln, NE
$1,574
Difference
$33.48
less
Transportation
↑ 2.2%
St. Louis, MO
$1,216
Lincoln, NE
$1,243
Difference
$27.32
more
Groceries
→ 0.0%
St. Louis, MO
$949
Lincoln, NE
$949
Difference
$0
same

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Lincoln, NE 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$910
To$920
↑ $10.00
1 Bed
From$950
To$1,000
↑ $50.00
2 Bed
From$1,160
To$1,230
↑ $70.00
3 Bed
From$1,490
To$1,705
↑ $215
St. Louis, MOZIP-level data

1BR range: $800–$1,480/mo

Lincoln, NEZIP-level data

1BR range: $820–$1,350/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.

$6,705
Monthly in St. Louis, MO
$7,022
Monthly in Lincoln, NE
$317
Difference

Home Values

St. Louis
Lincoln
$145K
Median Value
$274K
↓ -0.8%
YoY Change
↑ +3.8%
↑ +10.9%
5-Year Change
↑ +36%
$38K - $302K
Price Range
$194K - $575K

Homes in Lincoln are 90% more expensive than St. Louis

Calculate payment - St. LouisCalculate payment - Lincoln

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings
↓ $1.4K
More taxes
Monthly Difference
$117
Less take-home
Effective Rate Diff
0.9%
Rate difference

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

Lincoln, NE

Federal Income Tax
Effective: 18.9%
$25.5K
Nebraska State Tax
Effective: 6.2%
$9.3K
FICA Taxes
Social Security + Medicare
$11.5K
Total Taxes
Effective: 30.9%
$46.3K
Take-Home Pay
$8,638/month
$103.7K

Additional Tax Information

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.2%
Property Tax:1.0%

Lincoln, NE Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.0%
Property Tax:1.8%

💡 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.

Environment

St. Louis
Lincoln
54 Moderate
Air Quality
41 Good
38%
Good Air Days
83.7%
99 High
Climate Risk
91 Moderate
🌊🌡🫨
Top Hazards
🌪💨
▲+3.0°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.3°F
39 days
Heat Days >95°F
38 days
▲+3.0°F
2050 Outlook
▲+3.3°F
39 days
Heat Days >95°F
38 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Missouri and Nebraska on TaxTakeHome.com

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