Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Tampa, FL?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 15.5% cheaper than Tampa, FL. This translates to saving $1165 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Tampa, FL?

If you earn $150,000 in Tampa, FL, you'd need approximately $136,019.417 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Tampa, FL and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 30.8% cheaper than in Tampa, FL. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $2,290/month in Tampa, FL.

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

Moving from Tampa, FL to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1165 per month, or $13981 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

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Tampa, FL

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St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

Current salary in Tampa, FL

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.2K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $136.0K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL area

Overall Cost

↓ 15.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,165

Savings

Annual Impact

$14.0K

Per year

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

Tampa, FL

Population:385K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$367K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:84

Median Home:$145K

Tampa, FL

The Sunshine State

385K

Population

State Tax

No Income Tax

Climate

Humid subtropical

Notable Facts

•Major Tampa Bay area
•No state income tax
•Growing tech scene

Major Industries

FinanceTechnologyHealthcareTourism

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: Tampa, FL vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Tampa, FL	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,703/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $832less	30.8%
📦Other	$1,808/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $201less	11.1%
🛒Groceries	$1,019/mo	$949/mo	↓ $69.95less	6.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,284/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $68.30less	5.3%
🏥Healthcare	$570/mo	$527/mo	↓ $43.37less	7.6%
⚡All Utilities	$574/mo	$535/mo	↓ $38.25less	6.7%

🏠Housing

↓ 30.8%

Tampa, FL

$2,703

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$832

less

📦Other

↓ 11.1%

Tampa, FL

$1,808

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$201

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 6.9%

Tampa, FL

$1,019

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$69.95

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 5.3%

Tampa, FL

$1,284

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$68.30

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 7.6%

Tampa, FL

$570

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$43.37

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 6.7%

Tampa, FL

$574

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$38.25

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Tampa, FL 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$1,850

To$910

↓ $940

1 Bed

From$1,960

To$950

↓ $1,010

2 Bed

From$2,290

To$1,160

↓ $1,130

3 Bed

From$2,930

To$1,490

↓ $1,440

Tampa, FLZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,410–$2,550/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.

$7,958

Monthly in Tampa, FL

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,252

Difference

Home Values

Tampa

St. Louis

$367K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -4%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +42.1%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$251K - $989K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 61% less expensive than Tampa

Calculate payment - Tampa 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

Tampa, FL

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Florida 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

Tampa, FL Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.2%

Property Tax:0.8%

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.