Cost of Living: Indianapolis, IN vs St. Louis, MO (2026)

Indianapolis

Indiana
74
VS

St. Louis

Missouri
66

Indianapolis is 12% more expensive than St. Louis.

$1,112/mo ↑ 14%
Median Rent
$978/mo ↓ 12%
$62,995/yr ↑ 14%
Median Income
$55,279/yr ↓ 12%
$207,000 ↑ 12%
Home Value
$185,100 ↓ 11%
$1,124/mo ↑ 11%
Owner Costs
$1,013/mo ↓ 10%
882,043
Population
293,109

Tax Comparison

3.05%
Income Tax
4.95%
7.0%
State Sales Tax
4.225%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Indianapolis, IN and St. Louis, MO, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $134/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $1,608/year.

Median household income is $7,716/year higher in Indianapolis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Indianapolis is $207,000 compared to $185,100 in St. Louis.

Indiana has a lower income tax rate, making Indianapolis slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Indianapolis vs St. Louis — common questions

Is Indianapolis or St. Louis cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 74 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Indianapolis and St. Louis?
Median rent in Indianapolis is $1,112/month and in St. Louis it's $978/month — a difference of $134/month.
Which city has higher income, Indianapolis or St. Louis?
Median household income is $62,995 in Indianapolis and $55,279 in St. Louis. Median household income is $7,716/year higher in Indianapolis.
How do taxes compare between Indiana and Missouri?
Indiana has 3.05% income tax, 7.0% sales tax, and 0.83% property tax. Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Indianapolis or St. Louis?
It depends on your priorities. Indianapolis has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,112/mo, while St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with rent of $978/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
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