Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Wake Forest, NC?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 5.9% cheaper than Wake Forest, NC. This translates to saving $441 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Wake Forest, NC?

If you earn $150,000 in Wake Forest, NC, you'd need approximately $144,705.99 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Wake Forest, NC and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 11.6% cheaper than in Wake Forest, NC. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $1,418/month in Wake Forest, NC.

How much can I save per month by moving from Wake Forest, NC to St. Louis, MO?

Moving from Wake Forest, NC to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $441 per month, or $5294 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Wake Forest, NC vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Wake Forest, NC — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Raleigh, NC area

Current salary in Wake Forest, NC

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $441/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $144.7K in St. Louis, MO

Rent data from HUD ZIP-level estimates · COL index from Raleigh-Cary, NC area

Overall Cost

↓ 5.9%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$441

Savings

Annual Impact

$5.3K

Per year

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

Wake Forest, NC

Population:54K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$505K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:94

Median Home:$145K

Wake Forest, NC

The Tar Heel State

54K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in North Carolina, this city has a population of 54K 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: Wake Forest, NC vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Wake Forest, NC	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,117/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $246less	11.6%
🏥Healthcare	$587/mo	$527/mo	↓ $60.04less	10.2%
📦Other	$1,627/mo	$1,607/mo	↓ $20.12less	1.2%
🛒Groceries	$936/mo	$949/mo	↑ $12.84more	1.4%
🚗Transportation	$1,224/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $7.90less	0.6%
⚡All Utilities	$533/mo	$535/mo	↑ $2.08more	0.4%

🏠Housing

↓ 11.6%

Wake Forest, NC

$2,117

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$246

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 10.2%

Wake Forest, NC

$587

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$60.04

less

📦Other

↓ 1.2%

Wake Forest, NC

$1,627

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$20.12

less

🛒Groceries

↑ 1.4%

Wake Forest, NC

$936

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$12.84

🚗Transportation

↓ 0.6%

Wake Forest, NC

$1,224

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$7.90

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 0.4%

Wake Forest, NC

$533

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$2.08

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Wake Forest, NC 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$1,239

To$910

↓ $329

1 Bed

From$1,296

To$950

↓ $346

2 Bed

From$1,418

To$1,160

↓ $258

3 Bed

From$1,790

To$1,490

↓ $300

Wake Forest, NCZIP-level data

1BR range: $1,600–$1,600/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.

$7,025

Monthly in Wake Forest, NC

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$319

Difference

Home Values

Wake Forest

St. Louis

$505K

Median Value

$145K

↓ -1.8%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +39.9%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$505K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 71% less expensive than Wake Forest

Calculate payment - Wake Forest Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↓ $804

More taxes

Monthly Difference

$67.00

Less take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.5%

Rate difference

Wake Forest, NC

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

North Carolina State Tax

Effective: 4.8%

$7.1K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 29.4%

$44.1K

Take-Home Pay

$8,822/month

$105.9K

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

Wake Forest, NC Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.1%

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.