Is St. Louis, MO cheaper than Wausau, WI?

Based on cost of living data, St. Louis, MO is 6.8% cheaper than Wausau, WI. This translates to saving $513 per month.

What salary do I need in St. Louis, MO to live like I do in Wausau, WI?

If you earn $150,000 in Wausau, WI, you'd need approximately $143,848.82 in St. Louis, MO to maintain the same standard of living.

How does housing cost compare between Wausau, WI and St. Louis, MO?

Housing in St. Louis, MO is 15.1% cheaper than in Wausau, WI. For a two-bedroom apartment, rent is $1,160/month in St. Louis, MO compared to $873/month in Wausau, WI.

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

Moving from Wausau, WI to St. Louis, MO could save you approximately $513 per month, or $6151 per year, based on a $150,000 salary.

Wausau, WI vs St. Louis, MO: Cost of Living Comparison 2026

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Cost of Living Comparison 2026

📍 Wausau, WI — ZIP-level rent data · COL adjusted from Madison, WI area

Current salary in Wausau, WI

Numbers update automatically as you type

You'd save $513/month moving to St. Louis, MO

$150.0K in your current city equals $143.8K in St. Louis, MO

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

Overall Cost

↓ 6.8%

Less expensive

Monthly Impact

$513

Savings

Annual Impact

$6.2K

Per year

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

Wausau, WI

Population:40K

Cost Index:100

Median Home:$230K

St. Louis, MO

Population:302K

Cost Index:93

Median Home:$145K

Wausau, WI

The Badger State

40K

Population

State Tax

Yes

Located in Wisconsin, this city has a population of 40K 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: Wausau, WI vs St. Louis, MO

Category	Wausau, WI	St. Louis, MO	Difference	Change
🏠Housing	$2,205/mo	$1,871/mo	↓ $334less	15.1%
🏥Healthcare	$678/mo	$527/mo	↓ $151less	22.3%
⚡All Utilities	$479/mo	$535/mo	↑ $56.26more	11.7%
🛒Groceries	$905/mo	$949/mo	↑ $44.63more	4.9%
🚗Transportation	$1,251/mo	$1,216/mo	↓ $35.57less	2.8%
📦Other	$1,593/mo	$1,607/mo	↑ $14.04more	0.9%

🏠Housing

↓ 15.1%

Wausau, WI

$2,205

St. Louis, MO

$1,871

Difference

$334

less

🏥Healthcare

↓ 22.3%

Wausau, WI

$678

St. Louis, MO

$527

Difference

$151

less

⚡All Utilities

↑ 11.7%

Wausau, WI

$479

St. Louis, MO

$535

Difference

$56.26

🛒Groceries

↑ 4.9%

Wausau, WI

$905

St. Louis, MO

$949

Difference

$44.63

🚗Transportation

↓ 2.8%

Wausau, WI

$1,251

St. Louis, MO

$1,216

Difference

$35.57

less

📦Other

↑ 0.9%

Wausau, WI

$1,593

St. Louis, MO

$1,607

Difference

$14.04

🏛️ Local Income Taxes

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

Wausau, WI 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$605

To$910

↑ $305

1 Bed

From$677

To$950

↑ $273

2 Bed

From$873

To$1,160

↑ $287

3 Bed

From$1,149

To$1,490

↑ $341

Wausau, WIZIP-level data

1BR range: $880–$910/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.

$7,111

Monthly in Wausau, WI

$6,705

Monthly in St. Louis, MO

$406

Difference

Home Values

Wausau

St. Louis

$230K

Median Value

$145K

↑ +7.7%

YoY Change

↓ -0.8%

↑ +45.6%

5-Year Change

↑ +10.9%

$221K - $240K

Price Range

$38K - $302K

Homes in St. Louis are 37% less expensive than Wausau

Calculate payment - Wausau Calculate payment - St. Louis

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

Tax Comparison

Annual tax burden comparison at $150.0K salary

Tax Savings

↑ $921

Per year

Monthly Difference

$76.74

More take-home

Effective Rate Diff

0.6%

Rate difference

Wausau, WI

Federal Income Tax

Effective: 18.9%

$25.5K

Wisconsin State Tax

Effective: 5.9%

$8.8K

FICA Taxes

Social Security + Medicare

$11.5K

Total Taxes

Effective: 30.6%

$45.9K

Take-Home Pay

$8,678/month

$104.1K

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

Wausau, WI Tax Rates

Sales Tax:5.6%

Property Tax:1.8%

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.