Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Waterloo, IA?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 2.5% cheaper than Waterloo, IA. This translates to saving $188 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Waterloo, IA?

If you earn $150,000 in Waterloo, IA, you'd need approximately $147,744.233 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Waterloo, IA and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 0.9% more expensive than in Waterloo, IA. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $893/month in Waterloo, IA.

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

Moving from Waterloo, IA to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $188 per month, or $2256 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Waterloo, IA vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Waterloo, IA — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Des Moines, IA area

Current salary in Waterloo, IA

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $188/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $147.7K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 2.5%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$188

Savings

Annual Impact

$2.3K

Per year

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

Waterloo, IA

Population:67K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$144K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:97

Median Home:$145K

Waterloo, IA

The Hawkeye State

67K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Iowa, this city has a population of 67K 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: Waterloo, IA vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Waterloo, IA	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏥Healthcare	$679/mo	$527/mo	↓ $152less	22.4%
⚡All Utilities	$468/mo	$535/mo	↑ $67.57more	14.4%
🛒Groceries	$905/mo	$949/mo	↑ $43.83more	4.8%
🚗Transportation	$1,233/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $16.78less	1.4%
🏠Housing	$1,855/mo	$1,871/mo	↑ $15.87more	0.9%
📦Other	$1,593/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $13.63more	0.9%

🏥Healthcare

↓ 22.4%

Waterloo, IA

$679

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$152

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 14.4%

Waterloo, IA

$468

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$67.57

🛒Groceries

↑ 4.8%

Waterloo, IA

$905

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$43.83

🚗Transportation

↓ 1.4%

Waterloo, IA

$1,233

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$16.78

less

🏠Housing

↑ 0.9%

Waterloo, IA

$1,855

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$15.87

📦Other

↑ 0.9%

Waterloo, IA

$1,593

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$13.63

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Waterloo, IA 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$615

To$910

↑ $295

1 Bed

From$683

To$950

↑ $267

2 Bed

From$893

To$1,160

↑ $267

3 Bed

From$1,155

To$1,490

↑ $335

Waterloo, IAZIP-level data

1BR range: $750–$810/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.

$6,733

Monthly in Waterloo, IA

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$27.87

Difference

Home Values

Waterloo

St. Louis

$144K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +1.2%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +31.3%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$92K - $181K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Calculate payment - Waterloo Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $2.8K

Per year

Monthly Difference

$231

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

1.8%

Rate difference

Waterloo, IA

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Iowa State Tax

Effective: 7.1%

$10.7K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 31.8%

$47.7K

Take-Home Pay

$8,524/month

$102.3K

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

Waterloo, IA Tax Rates

Sales Tax:7.4%

Property Tax:1.5%

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.

Environment

Waterloo

St. Louis

45 Good

Air Quality

54 Moderate

67.5%

Good Air Days

38%

92 Moderate

Climate Risk

99 High

🌡☀🌪

Top Hazards

🌊🌡🫨

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.0°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

39 days

▲+3.4°F

2050 Outlook

▲+3.0°F

25 days

Heat Days >95°F

39 days

💰 See how taxes change too — compare take-home pay between Iowa and Missouri on TaxTakeHome.com

Where your money goes further

Cities cheaper than Waterloo, IA on a $150.0K salary

Similar cost to St. Louis, MO

Other cities in a similar price range

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Want to compare different cities?

New Comparison

You'd save $188/month moving to St. Louis, MO

Waterloo, IA

St. Louis, MO

Waterloo, IA

St. Louis, MO

Cost Breakdown by Category

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

🏠Rent Comparison

📍 Rent by ZIP Code3 ZIPs

📍 Rent by ZIP Code19 ZIPs

Home Values

🏠 Home Values by ZIP3 ZIPs

🏠 Home Values by ZIP19 ZIPs

Tax Comparison

Waterloo, IA

St. Louis, MO

Additional Tax Information

Waterloo, IA Tax Rates

St. Louis, MO Tax Rates

Environment

Where your money goes further

Similar cost to St. Louis, MO