Home › Compare › Seattle, WA vs St. Louis, MO

Cost of Living: Seattle, WA 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.

27.4% St. Louis, MO is cheaper overall
52.6% 52.6% cheaper housing
11.1% 11.1% cheaper groceries
Updated April 2026 · Data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau National average = 100

At a Glance

🏠 Housing 52.6% cheaper
Seattle
156
St. Louis
74
🛒 Groceries 11.1% cheaper
Seattle
108
St. Louis
96
🚗 Transportation 15.3% cheaper
Seattle
118
St. Louis
100
🏥 Healthcare 12.7% cheaper
Seattle
110
St. Louis
96
⚡ Utilities 12.1% more
Seattle
91
St. Louis
102

Detailed Breakdown

Category Seattle, WA St. Louis, MO Difference
Overall Cost Index1249027.4% less
Housing1567452.6% less
Median 1BR Rent$2,050$1,00051.2% less
Median Home Price$780,000$185,00076.3% less
Groceries1089611.1% less
Transportation11810015.3% less
Healthcare1109612.7% less
Utilities9110212.1% more

Tax Comparison

Tax Type Seattle, WA St. Louis, MO
State Income TaxNone (0%)4.80% (top)
State Sales Tax6.50%4.23%
Avg Property Tax Rate0.84%0.88%
Estate / Inheritance TaxYesNone

What You'd Need to Earn

Seattle, WA
$110,000
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 Seattle lifestyle.

→
$—

Based on overall cost index: Seattle (124) vs St. Louis (90). This is an estimate for comparison purposes.

Job Market Snapshot

Unemployment Rate
Seattle3.4%
St. Louis4.3%
Job Growth (YoY)
Seattle3.8%
St. Louis1.6%
Top Industries
SeattleTech, Aerospace, Retail
St. LouisHealthcare, Manufacturing, Finance

Quality of Life

Avg Commute
Seattle30 min
St. Louis25 min
Walk Score
Seattle73
St. Louis60
Air Quality (AQI)
Seattle40
St. Louis44
Avg Temperature
Seattle52°F
St. Louis56°F
Population
Seattle749,256
St. Louis293,310

Moving from Seattle 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 Seattle 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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Seattle 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 52.6%. Day-to-day expenses like groceries and transportation are closer between the two cities.
How much is rent in Seattle vs St. Louis?+
A typical one-bedroom apartment costs around $2,050/month in Seattle and $1,000/month in St. Louis — a difference of about $1,050 per month.
Which city has lower taxes, Seattle or St. Louis?+
Washington has a state income tax of None (0%) and sales tax of 6.50%. 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 Seattle to St. Louis?+
Median household income in Seattle is $110,000 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 Seattle vs St. Louis?+
The median home price in Seattle is $780,000 versus $185,000 in St. Louis — a difference of $595,000. Property tax rates also differ: Washington averages 0.84% while Missouri averages 0.88%.