St. Louis is one of the more affordable major U.S. metros — overall living costs run roughly 10% below the national average, with savings across almost every category. Your actual budget depends a lot on where you live and whether you need a car. (All figures below are approximate and as of early 2026 — confirm current numbers for your own situation.)
- Where the savings come from. Against the national average, housing runs about 20% lower, healthcare and transportation each around 10% lower, and utilities and groceries modestly lower. The result is real breathing room — many households can rent or own, cover the basics, and still save on an income that would feel tight in a coastal city.
- Renting. Expect roughly $800–$1,000 for a one-bedroom in many city neighborhoods, rising toward $1,300–$1,400 in newer buildings and the popular West County suburbs; two-bedrooms commonly run about $1,100–$1,650. The cheapest rents are in parts of south city; the priciest are the in-demand suburbs and amenity buildings.
- Buying. This is where St. Louis stands out. The city's median home price is around $175,000 — a fraction of the national median (roughly $410,000). Family homes in the sought-after West County suburbs (Ballwin, Wildwood, Chesterfield) cost considerably more, commonly a few hundred thousand dollars, but still far below comparable coastal homes. With Missouri's effective property-tax rate near 1%, owning is realistic for many families.
- Utilities. Budget around $180–$200 a month for energy on average, with real seasonal swings — summer air-conditioning and winter heating are the big ones. Add water, trash, and sewer, plus internet (about $50–$80) and phone.
- Groceries & eating out. Grocery prices sit close to the national average — a gallon of milk or a dozen eggs runs around $4.50–$5. Eating out is reasonable by big-city standards, and the Persian and Middle Eastern markets are an affordable way to cook the food of home.
- Getting around. If you drive, budget for fuel (Missouri's gas tax is about 29.5¢ a gallon, on the low side), insurance, and maintenance. Two Missouri specifics: you'll pay 4.225% state sales tax plus local tax when you buy a vehicle, and an annual personal property tax on the car based on its value, due each December (new residents who didn't own it in Missouri the prior January can apply for a one-year waiver). If you live and work along the transit corridor, a MetroLink/MetroBus pass can offset some driving costs — see metrostlouis.org for current fares.
- Income & sales tax. Missouri has a graduated state income tax; as of this review the top bracket is about 4.7% — check the Missouri Department of Revenue tables for the current tax year before planning around exact rates. Combined state-plus-local sales tax averages about 8.4% and varies by municipality, so the rate shifts from one suburb to the next.
- The St. Louis City earnings tax. A 1% earnings tax applies to anyone who lives or works within the City of St. Louis. Living and working in the suburbs (St. Louis County) avoids it — a genuine factor when choosing where to settle and work.
- Families. Childcare averages around $850 a month — below the national average, but still a major line item for young families to plan for.