Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Trenton, NJ?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 8.3% cheaper than Trenton, NJ. This translates to saving $623 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Trenton, NJ?

If you earn $150,000 in Trenton, NJ, you'd need approximately $142,518.06 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Trenton, NJ and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 4.1% cheaper than in Trenton, NJ. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,458/month in Trenton, NJ.

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

Moving from Trenton, NJ to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $623 per month, or $7482 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Trenton, NJ vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Trenton, NJ — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Philadelphia, PA area

Current salary in Trenton, NJ

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $623/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $142.5K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD area

Overall Cost

↓ 8.3%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$623

Savings

Annual Impact

$7.5K

Per year

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

Trenton, NJ

Population:90K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$286K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:92

Median Home:$145K

Trenton, NJ

The Garden State

90K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in New Jersey, this city has a population of 90K 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: Trenton, NJ vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Trenton, NJ	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🛒Groceries	$1,069/mo	$949/mo	↓ $120less	11.2%
🚗Transportation	$1,332/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $116less	8.7%
🏠Housing	$1,952/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $80.67less	4.1%
🏥Healthcare	$588/mo	$527/mo	↓ $61.31less	10.4%
📦Other	$1,664/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $56.73less	3.4%
⚡All Utilities	$587/mo	$535/mo	↓ $51.82less	8.8%

🛒Groceries

↓ 11.2%

Trenton, NJ

$1,069

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$120

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 8.7%

Trenton, NJ

$1,332

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$116

less

🏠Housing

↓ 4.1%

Trenton, NJ

$1,952

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$80.67

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 10.4%

Trenton, NJ

$588

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$61.31

less

📦Other

↓ 3.4%

Trenton, NJ

$1,664

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$56.73

less

⚡All Utilities

↓ 8.8%

Trenton, NJ

$587

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$51.82

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Trenton, NJ 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$1,004

To$910

↓ $94.00

1 Bed

From$1,156

To$950

↓ $206

2 Bed

From$1,458

To$1,160

↓ $298

3 Bed

From$1,753

To$1,490

↓ $263

Trenton, NJZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,450–$1,540/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.

$7,192

Monthly in Trenton, NJ

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$487

Difference

Home Values

Trenton

St. Louis

$286K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -1.9%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +54.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$267K - $305K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 49% less expensive than Trenton

Calculate payment - Trenton Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $499

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$41.54

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.3%

Rate difference

Trenton, NJ

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

New Jersey State Tax

Effective: 5.0%

$7.4K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.6%

$44.4K

Take-Home Pay

$8,796/month

$105.6K

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

Trenton, NJ Tax Rates

Sales Tax:6.6%

Property Tax:2.5%

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.