Home › Compare › New Orleans, LA vs St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living: New Orleans, LA 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.

8.2% St. Louis, MO is cheaper overall
27.5% 27.5% cheaper housing
4.0% 4.0% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 27.5% cheaper
New Orleans
102
St. Louis
74
🛒 Groceries 4.0% cheaper
New Orleans
100
St. Louis
96
🚗 Transportation ~Same
New Orleans
100
St. Louis
100
🏥 Healthcare ~Same
New Orleans
96
St. Louis
96
⚡ Utilities ~Same
New Orleans
104
St. Louis
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category New Orleans, LA St. Louis, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index98908.2% less
Housing1027427.5% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,250$1,00020.0% less
Median Home Price$270,000$185,00031.5% less
Groceries100964.0% less
Transportation100100~Same
Healthcare9696~Same
Utilities104102~Same

Tax Comparison

Tax Type New Orleans, LA St. Louis, MO
State Income Tax4.25%4.80% (top)
State Sales Tax4.45%4.23%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.55%0.88%
Estate / Inheritance TaxNoneNone

What You'd Need to Earn

New Orleans, LA
$52,000
Median household income
St. Louis, MO
$52,000
Median household income
✅ Good news: Income in St. Louis outpaces the cost difference, so your purchasing power should hold up.

Salary Equivalent Calculator

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

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Based on overall cost index: New Orleans (98) vs St. Louis (90). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
New Orleans4.8%
St. Louis4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
New Orleans2.0%
St. Louis1.6%
Top Industries
New OrleansTourism, Energy, Port/Shipping
St. LouisHealthcare, Manufacturing, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
New Orleans26 min
St. Louis25 min
Walk Score
New Orleans57
St. Louis60
Air Quality (AQI)
New Orleans42
St. Louis44
Avg Temperature
New Orleans69°F
St. Louis56°F
Population
New Orleans383,997
St. Louis293,310

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in New Orleans 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

New Orleans vs Austin → New Orleans vs Denver → New Orleans vs Nashville → St. Louis vs Raleigh → St. Louis vs Portland → St. Louis vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is New Orleans 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 27.5%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in New Orleans vs St. Louis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,250/month in New Orleans and $1,000/month in St. Louis — a difference of about $250 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, New Orleans or St. Louis?+
Louisiana has a state income tax of 4.25% and sales tax of 4.45%. 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 New Orleans to St. Louis?+
Median household income in New Orleans is $52,000 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 New Orleans vs St. Louis?+
The median home price in New Orleans is $270,000 versus $185,000 in St. Louis — a difference of $85,000. Property tax rates also differ: Louisiana averages 0.55% while Missouri averages 0.88%.