Home › Compare › New York, NY vs St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living: New York, NY 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.

37.9% St. Louis, MO is cheaper overall
62.1% 62.1% cheaper housing
17.2% 17.2% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 62.1% cheaper
New York
195
St. Louis
74
🛒 Groceries 17.2% cheaper
New York
116
St. Louis
96
🚗 Transportation 23.1% cheaper
New York
130
St. Louis
100
🏥 Healthcare 16.5% cheaper
New York
115
St. Louis
96
⚡ Utilities 8.9% cheaper
New York
112
St. Louis
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category New York, NY St. Louis, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index1459037.9% less
Housing1957462.1% less
Median 1BR Rent$3,200$1,00068.8% less
Median Home Price$750,000$185,00075.3% less
Groceries1169617.2% less
Transportation13010023.1% less
Healthcare1159616.5% less
Utilities1121028.9% less

Tax Comparison

Tax Type New York, NY St. Louis, MO
State Income Tax10.90% (top)4.80% (top)
State Sales Tax4.00%4.23%
Avg Property Tax Rate1.40%0.88%
Estate / Inheritance TaxYesNone

What You'd Need to Earn

New York, NY
$115,000
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 New York lifestyle.

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: New York (145) vs St. Louis (90). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
New York5.1%
St. Louis4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
New York2.8%
St. Louis1.6%
Top Industries
New YorkFinance, Media, Tech
St. LouisHealthcare, Manufacturing, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
New York41 min
St. Louis25 min
Walk Score
New York89
St. Louis60
Air Quality (AQI)
New York48
St. Louis44
Avg Temperature
New York55°F
St. Louis56°F
Population
New York8,258,035
St. Louis293,310

Moving from New York to St. Louis?

Get free, no-obligation moving quotes from top-rated movers. Compare prices and save up to 40% on your move.

Get My Free Moving Estimate →
✓ 500+ vetted movers ✓ Free quotes in 24hrs ✓ No obligation

Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in New York 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 York vs Austin → New York vs Denver → New York vs Nashville → St. Louis vs Raleigh → St. Louis vs Portland → St. Louis vs Phoenix →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is New York 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 62.1%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in New York vs St. Louis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $3,200/month in New York and $1,000/month in St. Louis — a difference of about $2,200 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, New York or St. Louis?+
New York has a state income tax of 10.90% (top) and sales tax of 4.00%. 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 York to St. Louis?+
Median household income in New York is $115,000 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 York vs St. Louis?+
The median home price in New York is $750,000 versus $185,000 in St. Louis — a difference of $565,000. Property tax rates also differ: New York averages 1.40% while Missouri averages 0.88%.