Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Tempe, AZ?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 17.9% cheaper than Tempe, AZ. This translates to saving $1344 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Tempe, AZ?

If you earn $150,000 in Tempe, AZ, you'd need approximately $133,867.925 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Tempe, AZ and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 34.5% cheaper than in Tempe, AZ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $2,045/month in Tempe, AZ.

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

Moving from Tempe, AZ to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $1344 per month, or $16132 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Tempe, AZ vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Tempe, AZ — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Chandler, AZ area

Current salary in Tempe, AZ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $1.3K/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $133.9K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ area

Overall Cost

↓ 17.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$1,344

Savings

Annual Impact

$16.1K

Per year

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

Tempe, AZ

Population:190K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$452K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:82

Median Home:$145K

Tempe, AZ

The Grand Canyon State

190K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Arizona, this city has a population of 190K 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: Tempe, AZ vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Tempe, AZ	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,859/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $988less	34.5%
🚗Transportation	$1,489/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $273less	18.3%
📦Other	$1,774/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $167less	9.4%
🏥Healthcare	$589/mo	$527/mo	↓ $61.96less	10.5%
⚡All Utilities	$546/mo	$535/mo	↓ $10.93less	2.0%
🛒Groceries	$959/mo	$949/mo	↓ $9.99less	1.0%

🏠Housing

↓ 34.5%

Tempe, AZ

$2,859

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$988

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 18.3%

Tempe, AZ

$1,489

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$273

less

📦Other

↓ 9.4%

Tempe, AZ

$1,774

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$167

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 10.5%

Tempe, AZ

$589

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$61.96

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 2.0%

Tempe, AZ

$546

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$10.93

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 1.0%

Tempe, AZ

$959

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$9.99

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Tempe, AZ 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$1,620

To$910

↓ $710

1 Bed

From$1,760

To$950

↓ $810

2 Bed

From$2,045

To$1,160

↓ $885

3 Bed

From$2,725

To$1,490

↓ $1,235

Tempe, AZZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,730–$2,200/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.

$8,216

Monthly in Tempe, AZ

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$1,511

Difference

Home Values

Tempe

St. Louis

$452K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -2.9%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +27.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$397K - $701K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 68% less expensive than Tempe

Calculate payment - Tempe Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $2.7K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$225

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.8%

Rate difference

Tempe, AZ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Arizona State Tax

Effective: 3.5%

$5.2K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 28.2%

$42.2K

Take-Home Pay

$8,979/month

$107.8K

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

Tempe, AZ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:8.5%

Property Tax:0.6%

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.