Cost of Living in St. Louis, MO
St. Louis, MO-IL — prices, rents and what jobs really pay here after taxes.
Salary comparison calculator
What would you need to earn in St. Louis, MO to keep the same lifestyle — after taxes — as in another city?
How expensive is St. Louis, MO?
With a price level of 95.1 (U.S. average = 100), St. Louis, MO is cheaper than average. In detail, housing costs are 21% below average; everyday goods cost about the same as the national average; utilities are 30% below average; other services such as healthcare and dining cost about the same as the national average. The biggest difference from the national average is in utilities.
Prices in St. Louis, MO vs. the U.S. average
| Category | Index (U.S. = 100) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| All items | 95.1 | −4.9% |
| Housing | 79.0 | −21.0% |
| Goods | 100.0 | −0.0% |
| Utilities | 69.9 | −30.1% |
| Other services | 98.6 | −1.4% |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Rent in St. Louis, MO
| Unit | Monthly rent | Income needed (30% rule) |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | $949 | $37,960/yr |
| 1 bedroom | $989 | $39,560/yr |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,211 | $48,440/yr |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,559 | $62,360/yr |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,802 | $72,080/yr |
HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026, population-weighted across the metro's counties.
Salary needed to live in St. Louis, MO
To keep the same standard of living as in an average-priced U.S. city, you would need to earn roughly:
| Salary in an average U.S. city | Equivalent in St. Louis, MO | Take-home here |
|---|---|---|
| $40,000 | $38,000 | $31,864 |
| $60,000 | $57,100 | $46,313 |
| $80,000 | $76,100 | $59,727 |
| $100,000 | $95,100 | $72,200 |
| $150,000 | $142,600 | $102,968 |
Scaled by the BEA price level (pre-tax). Take-home: single filer, Missouri 2026 taxes. For a tax-aware comparison with a specific city, use the calculator above.
A monthly budget on the median wage
A single worker earning St. Louis, MO's median wage of $49,990 takes home about $3,411 a month. A typical one-bedroom rents for $989, which is 29% of take-home pay — within the 30% guideline that financial planners suggest. That leaves about $2,422 a month for everything else.
Take-home pay in St. Louis, MO
- Federal income tax$3,819
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,099
- Medicare (1.45%)$725
- Missouri income tax$1,412
- Take-home pay$40,935
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.70% state
St. Louis residents also pay the Earnings Tax: about $500 a year on the $49,990 median wage, leaving $40,435. Select “St. Louis” under City income tax above to include it.
Highest-paying jobs in St. Louis, MO
| Job | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $239,200+ | $170,200 | $178,992 |
| Computer and Information Systems Manager | $167,130 | $118,582 | $124,707 |
| Financial Manager | $158,780 | $113,267 | $119,118 |
| Lawyer | $142,690 | $103,026 | $108,348 |
| Pharmacist | $138,530 | $100,378 | $105,563 |
| Marketing Manager | $137,900 | $99,977 | $105,141 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,580 | $95,954 | $100,911 |
| Managers, All Other | $130,590 | $95,324 | $100,248 |
| Software Developer | $129,030 | $94,331 | $99,204 |
| Sales Manager | $123,870 | $91,047 | $95,750 |
| Construction Manager | $116,680 | $86,368 | $90,829 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $108,450 | $80,965 | $85,147 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $107,640 | $80,433 | $84,588 |
| Medical and Health Services Manager | $106,200 | $79,488 | $83,594 |
| Personal Financial Advisor | $103,690 | $77,840 | $81,861 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $103,410 | $77,656 | $81,668 |
| Industrial Engineer | $102,230 | $76,881 | $80,853 |
| Management Analyst | $101,100 | $76,139 | $80,073 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,600 | $75,811 | $79,727 |
| Project Management Specialist | $100,510 | $75,752 | $79,665 |
*In U.S.-average dollars after adjusting for local prices.
Pay and living costs in Missouri cities
Half of Missouri’s 2,936,050 workers earn less than $47,800 a year and half earn more; the middle 50% earn $36,160–$74,260 (BLS, May 2025). Prices vary a lot within the state: St. Joseph, MO stretches a paycheck furthest, while Springfield, MO is the costliest.
| Metro area | Median pay | Price level | 1-BR rent | Rent share | Left after rent / mo | Buying power* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO | $49,990 | 95.1 | $989 | 29% | $2,422 | $43,049 |
| Kansas City, MO | $50,820 | 92.5 | $1,193 | 34% | $2,271 | $44,912 |
| Springfield, MO | $45,780 | 88.6 | $868 | 28% | $2,278 | $42,614 |
| Columbia, MO | $47,260 | 89.4 | $978 | 30% | $2,261 | $43,460 |
| Joplin, MO | $44,980 | 85.7 | $756 | 24% | $2,339 | $43,334 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $48,030 | 88.0 | $725 | 22% | $2,563 | $44,845 |
| St. Joseph, MO | $47,350 | 86.4 | $832 | 26% | $2,413 | $45,076 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $44,470 | 86.1 | $807 | 26% | $2,256 | $42,704 |
*Yearly take-home pay (on each metro’s median wage, single filer) in U.S.-average dollars. Price level: BEA RPP 2024 (U.S. = 100). Rent: HUD FY2026 one-bedroom fair market rent.
St. Louis, MO vs. similar-size cities
| Metro area | Price level | 1-BR rent | Median wage | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis, MO | 95.1 | $989 | $49,990 | 1,341,320 |
| Baltimore, MD | 104.5 | $1,511 | $59,070 | 1,356,680 |
| Charlotte, NC | 97.3 | $1,428 | $49,990 | 1,358,370 |
| Austin, TX | 98.1 | $1,562 | $56,950 | 1,293,690 |
| Orlando, FL | 101.4 | $1,731 | $46,630 | 1,411,730 |
| Tampa, FL | 100.9 | $1,696 | $48,940 | 1,447,120 |
| Portland, OR | 105.4 | $1,677 | $60,690 | 1,208,410 |
Frequently asked questions
Is St. Louis, MO expensive to live in?
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, overall prices in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area are 95.1% of the U.S. average, with housing at 79.0%. It is the #166 most expensive of 387 metro areas we track.
What salary do you need to live in St. Louis, MO?
To match the buying power of a $60,000 salary in an average-priced U.S. city you would need about $57,053 in St. Louis, MO (before tax differences). The median wage across all jobs here is $49,990.
Can you afford St. Louis, MO on the median wage?
A single worker on the $49,990 median wage takes home about $3,411 a month after 2026 taxes; a one-bedroom at $989 would take 29% of that.
How much is rent in St. Louis, MO?
HUD’s FY2026 fair market rents for St. Louis, MO are $949 for a studio, $989 for one bedroom, $1,211 for two bedrooms and $1,559 for three bedrooms, including utilities.
Top salaries by field in St. Louis, MO
Management Occupations
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $167,130
- Financial Manager — $158,780
- Marketing Manager — $137,900
- Managers, All Other — $130,590
- Sales Manager — $123,870
- Construction Manager — $116,680
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary — $107,640
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $106,200
Business and Financial Operations Occupations
- Personal Financial Advisor — $103,690
- Management Analyst — $101,100
- Project Management Specialist — $100,510
- Financial and Investment Analyst — $99,950
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other — $95,470
- Logistician — $88,880
- Accountant and Auditor — $78,880
- Cost Estimator — $78,730
Computer and Mathematical Occupations
- Software Developer — $129,030
- Computer Occupations, All Other — $108,450
- Data Scientist — $99,600
- Computer Systems Analyst — $96,290
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator — $88,940
- Computer User Support Specialist — $60,940
Architecture and Engineering Occupations
- Industrial Engineer — $102,230
- Civil Engineer — $96,830
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists — $103,410
Community and Social Service Occupations
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors — $60,160
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — $58,570
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers — $51,080
- Social and Human Service Assistant — $45,430
Legal Occupations
- Lawyer — $142,690
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant — $61,970
Educational Instruction and Library Occupations
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $62,180
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $62,130
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education — $60,650
- Self-Enrichment Teacher — $39,740
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $37,020
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary — $36,410
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term — $35,900
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations
- Coach and Scout — $37,970
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
- Physicians, All Other — $239,200+
- Pharmacist — $138,530
- Nurse Practitioner — $131,580
- Physical Therapist — $100,600
- Registered Nurse — $83,180
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $65,120
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician — $61,830
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other — $47,570
Healthcare Support Occupations
- Dental Assistant — $48,120
- Medical Assistant — $44,710
- Nursing Assistant — $39,110
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide — $34,490
Protective Service Occupations
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer — $73,240
- Firefighter — $68,970
- Security Guard — $42,600
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $38,520
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,690
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $36,200
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $34,340
- Food Preparation Worker — $32,400
- Dishwasher — $32,180
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $31,930
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $31,260
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Worker — $39,040
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners — $36,620
- Maid and Housekeeping Cleaner — $35,250
Personal Care and Service Occupations
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor — $36,500
- Recreation Worker — $33,750
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — $33,350
- Childcare Worker — $33,320
- Animal Caretaker — $31,530
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant — $31,200
Sales and Related Occupations
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $79,300
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $64,590
- Insurance Sales Agent — $62,080
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $60,860
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $48,020
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $38,290
- Retail Salesperson — $33,820
- Cashier — $32,380
Office and Administrative Support Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Office and Administrative Support Workers — $68,590
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant — $63,500
- Postal Service Mail Carrier — $62,070
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks — $51,260
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks — $49,970
- Billing and Posting Clerk — $47,490
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive — $46,200
- Customer Service Representative — $45,800
Construction and Extraction Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers — $96,620
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator — $82,270
- Electrician — $77,170
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $77,000
- Carpenter — $70,990
- Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher — $64,670
- Construction Laborer — $64,500
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance — $59,810
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $80,410
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic — $76,780
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — $63,000
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist — $62,280
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic — $58,190
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General — $53,930
Production Occupations
- First-Line Supervisor of Production and Operating Workers — $75,210
- Machinist — $62,210
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic — $62,090
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $51,790
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — $51,640
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender — $47,460
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator — $46,570
- Production Workers, All Other — $40,900
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $62,790
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver — $58,240
- Bus Drivers, School — $48,100
- Light Truck Driver — $47,150
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator — $46,330
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $41,780
- Driver/Sales Worker — $40,240
- Stocker and Order Filler — $37,840