Cost of Living in St. Louis, MO

Cost-of-living breakdown

St. Louis's cost of living indexes vs the US national average of 100:

Above 100 = more expensive than US average; below 100 = cheaper. Housing (79) is typically the biggest swing in any metro's overall cost of living.

Housing in St. Louis

Rent for a typical 1-bedroom apartment ranges from $950 to $1,500 per month, depending on neighborhood and amenities. A 2-bedroom runs $1,300–$1,900/mo. The median single-family home sells for $248,000.

Rent consumes about 23.0% of the median household income — below the 30% HUD threshold for housing-burdened.

Salary and income

Median household income in the St. Louis metro is $64,000. To live comfortably as a single adult here, plan on roughly $82,000/year — that covers a typical 1BR, occasional restaurants, and 10-15% savings. The MIT Living Wage Calculator estimates a single adult needs at least $35,000/year to cover basic necessities (food, housing, transport, healthcare, taxes — no luxuries or savings). A family of 4 with both adults working needs roughly $53,000/adult.

Taxes

• State income tax: Top marginal rate 4.95%, progressive.
• Combined sales tax (state + local): 9.68%
• Effective property tax: 1.22% of home value annually. On the median $248,000 home, that's roughly $3,026/year.

Major industries and employers

St. Louis's economy is anchored by:

• Healthcare (BJC HealthCare, Mercy, SSM Health)
• Biotech and life sciences (emerging cluster)
• Agriculture and food (Anheuser-Busch, Ralston Purina legacy)
• Defense (Boeing's defense division, Scott Air Force Base)
• Finance and insurance (Edward Jones HQ, Centene HQ)

Pros of living in St. Louis

• Among the most affordable housing of any major US metro — under $250k median
• World-class research hospitals drive strong healthcare employment
• Gateway Arch and Forest Park (free art museum, zoo) are standout civic assets
• Washington University is a top research university and major employer
• Low cost of living with legitimate city amenities

Cons of living in St. Louis

• High violent crime rate in specific city neighborhoods — city proper vs suburbs is stark
• City/county political separation (St. Louis City and County are legally separate) creates governance complexity
• Brain drain — young talent often relocates to Kansas City, Chicago, or coasts
• Combined sales tax tops 9.6% in some areas
• Aging infrastructure and sprawling metro without good regional transit

Who tends to thrive in St. Louis

• Healthcare administrators and physicians at BJC or Mercy
• Finance professionals at Edward Jones or Centene
• Researchers at Wash U or Monsanto/Bayer (agriculture biotech hub)
• Anyone optimizing for homeownership dollar value

And who tends to struggle:

• Tech workers wanting a tech ecosystem
• Urban walkers who need a walkable city core
• Workers who prioritize public safety above all

Frequently asked questions about St. Louis

Is St. Louis safe?

The city is deeply bifurcated. Neighborhoods like Clayton, Webster Groves, Kirkwood, Maplewood, and the Central West End are safe and pleasant. North St. Louis has extremely high violent crime rates. The answer depends entirely on where you live. Most suburban county residents rarely venture into high-crime areas and live comfortable, safe lives.

What is the Gateway Arch?

The 630-foot stainless steel arch on the Mississippi River is the tallest US national monument and a genuine engineering marvel. You can ride trams to the top. The surrounding Gateway Arch National Park and Riverfront have been significantly improved. It's genuinely worth a half-day and puts St. Louis on tourist maps.

How does St. Louis compare to Kansas City?

Very similar cost profiles. Kansas City has arguably more economic momentum and a stronger food scene (BBQ). St. Louis has Washington University, stronger healthcare system, and Forest Park. KC has the Chiefs and Royals; STL has the Cardinals. Both are underrated Midwest cities.

What is the toasted ravioli?

A St. Louis original — beef ravioli that's breaded and deep-fried instead of boiled, served with marinara dipping sauce. Invented in an Italian restaurant on The Hill (the city's Italian neighborhood) in the 1940s. Every St. Louis restaurant has it. Polarizing nationally; beloved locally.