Home › Compare › Portland, OR vs St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living: Portland, OR 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.

21.1% St. Louis, MO is cheaper overall
46.4% 46.4% cheaper housing
6.8% 6.8% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 46.4% cheaper
Portland
138
St. Louis
74
🛒 Groceries 6.8% cheaper
Portland
103
St. Louis
96
🚗 Transportation 7.4% cheaper
Portland
108
St. Louis
100
🏥 Healthcare 10.3% cheaper
Portland
107
St. Louis
96
⚡ Utilities 15.9% more
Portland
88
St. Louis
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category Portland, OR St. Louis, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index1149021.1% less
Housing1387446.4% less
Median 1BR Rent$1,550$1,00035.5% less
Median Home Price$485,000$185,00061.9% less
Groceries103966.8% less
Transportation1081007.4% less
Healthcare1079610.3% less
Utilities8810215.9% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Portland, OR St. Louis, MO
State Income Tax8.75% (top)4.80% (top)
State Sales TaxNone (0%)4.23%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.82%0.88%
Estate / Inheritance TaxYesNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Portland, OR
$79,000
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 Portland lifestyle.

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Based on overall cost index: Portland (114) vs St. Louis (90). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Portland4.3%
St. Louis4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
Portland2.2%
St. Louis1.6%
Top Industries
PortlandTech, Manufacturing, Creative
St. LouisHealthcare, Manufacturing, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Portland27 min
St. Louis25 min
Walk Score
Portland65
St. Louis60
Air Quality (AQI)
Portland42
St. Louis44
Avg Temperature
Portland54°F
St. Louis56°F
Population
Portland652,503
St. Louis293,310

Moving from Portland to St. Louis?

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Planning Your Move?

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

🏠 Find ApartmentsBrowse rentals in Portland 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Portland 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 46.4%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Portland vs St. Louis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $1,550/month in Portland and $1,000/month in St. Louis — a difference of about $550 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Portland or St. Louis?+
Oregon has a state income tax of 8.75% (top) and sales tax of None (0%). 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 Portland to St. Louis?+
Median household income in Portland is $79,000 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 Portland vs St. Louis?+
The median home price in Portland is $485,000 versus $185,000 in St. Louis — a difference of $300,000. Property tax rates also differ: Oregon averages 0.82% while Missouri averages 0.88%.