Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Valparaiso, IN?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 9.5% cheaper than Valparaiso, IN. This translates to saving $710 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Valparaiso, IN?

If you earn $150,000 in Valparaiso, IN, you'd need approximately $141,475.476 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Valparaiso, IN and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 23.7% cheaper than in Valparaiso, IN. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,020/month in Valparaiso, IN.

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

Moving from Valparaiso, IN to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $710 per month, or $8525 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Valparaiso, IN vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

MoveNumbers

Tap to swap

Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Valparaiso, IN — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Chicago, IL area

Current salary in Valparaiso, IN

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $710/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $141.5K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from area

Overall Cost

↓ 9.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$710

Savings

Annual Impact

$8.5K

Per year

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

Valparaiso, IN

Population:35K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$333K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:91

Median Home:$145K

Valparaiso, IN

The Hoosier State

35K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Indiana, this city has a population of 35K 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: Valparaiso, IN vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Valparaiso, IN	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,454/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $582less	23.7%
🚗Transportation	$1,494/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $278less	18.6%
⚡All Utilities	$489/mo	$535/mo	↑ $46.05more	9.4%
📦Other	$1,563/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $44.42more	2.8%
🏥Healthcare	$561/mo	$527/mo	↓ $34.18less	6.1%
🛒Groceries	$970/mo	$949/mo	↓ $21.15less	2.2%

🏠Housing

↓ 23.7%

Valparaiso, IN

$2,454

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$582

less

🚗Transportation

↓ 18.6%

Valparaiso, IN

$1,494

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$278

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 9.4%

Valparaiso, IN

$489

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$46.05

📦Other

↑ 2.8%

Valparaiso, IN

$1,563

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$44.42

🏥Healthcare

↓ 6.1%

Valparaiso, IN

$561

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$34.18

less

🛒Groceries

↓ 2.2%

Valparaiso, IN

$970

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$21.15

less

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Valparaiso, IN 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$741

To$910

↑ $169

1 Bed

From$839

To$950

↑ $111

2 Bed

From$1,020

To$1,160

↑ $140

3 Bed

From$1,247

To$1,490

↑ $243

Valparaiso, INZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,110–$1,110/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.

$7,531

Monthly in Valparaiso, IN

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$825

Difference

Home Values

Valparaiso

St. Louis

$333K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +1.3%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +31.4%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$333K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 57% less expensive than Valparaiso

Calculate payment - Valparaiso Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $3.1K

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$257

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

2.1%

Rate difference

Valparaiso, IN

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Indiana State Tax

Effective: 3.2%

$4.8K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 27.9%

$41.9K

Take-Home Pay

$9,012/month

$108.1K

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

Valparaiso, IN Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.0%

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.