Home › Compare › Mesa, AZ vs St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living: Mesa, AZ vs St. Louis, MO

A data-driven comparison of housing, groceries, transportation, taxes, job market and more. See which city gives you more for your money.

9.1% St. Louis, MO is cheaper overall
28.8% 28.8% cheaper housing
1.0% 1.0% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 28.8% cheaper
Mesa
104
St. Louis
74
🛒 Groceries ~Same
Mesa
97
St. Louis
96
🚗 Transportation ~Same
Mesa
100
St. Louis
100
🏥 Healthcare 2.1% more
Mesa
94
St. Louis
96
⚡ Utilities 3.8% cheaper
Mesa
106
St. Louis
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category Mesa, AZ St. Louis, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index99909.1% less
Housing1047428.8% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,250$1,00020.0% less
Median Home Price$365,000$185,00049.3% less
Groceries9796~Same
Transportation100100~Same
Healthcare94962.1% more
Utilities1061023.8% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Mesa, AZ St. Louis, MO
State Income Tax2.50%4.80% (top)
State Sales Tax5.60%4.23%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.51%0.88%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Mesa, AZ
$66,000
Median household income
St. Louis, MO
$52,000
Median household income
⚠️ Heads up: St. Louis costs more but median income is lower. You may need to earn more to maintain the same standard of living.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

Find out what you'd need to earn in St. Louis to maintain your Mesa lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Mesa (99) vs St. Louis (90). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Mesa3.8%
St. Louis4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
Mesa3.2%
St. Louis1.6%
Top Industries
MesaAerospace, Tech, Healthcare
St. LouisHealthcare, Manufacturing, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Mesa26 min
St. Louis25 min
Walk Score
Mesa32
St. Louis60
Air Quality (AQI)
Mesa56
St. Louis44
Avg Temperature
Mesa74°F
St. Louis56°F
Population
Mesa504,258
St. Louis293,310

Moving from Mesa to St. Louis?

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Planning Your Move?

Here are some helpful resources if you're considering relocating.

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Mesa and St. Louis → 🚚 Get Moving QuotesCompare prices from top movers → 📈 Check Home ValuesSee real estate trends in both cities → 💼 Search JobsFind open positions in St. Louis →

Compare Other Cities

Mesa vs Austin → Mesa vs Denver → Mesa vs Nashville → St. Louis vs Raleigh → St. Louis vs Portland → St. Louis vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mesa or St. Louis cheaper to live in?+
St. Louis is the more affordable option overall. The biggest difference is in housing costs, where the gap is about 28.8%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Mesa vs St. Louis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,250/month in Mesa and $1,000/month in St. Louis — a difference of about $250 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Mesa or St. Louis?+
Arizona has a state income tax of 2.50% and sales tax of 5.60%. Missouri has a state income tax of 4.80% (top) and sales tax of 4.23%. Consider all tax types together when evaluating total tax burden, as states with no income tax often compensate with higher sales or property taxes.
Can I afford to move from Mesa to St. Louis?+
Median household income in Mesa is $66,000 compared to $52,000 in St. Louis. Use the salary calculator above to see what you'd need to earn to maintain your current standard of living.
What about buying a home in Mesa vs St. Louis?+
The median home price in Mesa is $365,000 versus $185,000 in St. Louis — a difference of $180,000. Property tax rates also differ: Arizona averages 0.51% while Missouri averages 0.88%.