Cost of Living: Louisville, KY vs St. Louis, MO (2026)

Louisville

Kentucky
74
VS

St. Louis

Missouri
66

Louisville is 12% more expensive than St. Louis.

$1,069/mo ↑ 9%
Median Rent
$978/mo ↓ 9%
$64,731/yr ↑ 17%
Median Income
$55,279/yr ↓ 15%
$221,500 ↑ 20%
Home Value
$185,100 ↓ 16%
$1,118/mo ↑ 10%
Owner Costs
$1,013/mo ↓ 9%
627,210
Population
293,109

Tax Comparison

4.0%
Income Tax
4.95%
6.0%
State Sales Tax
4.225%
0.83%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

19.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Louisville, KY and St. Louis, MO, the overall cost of living indices are 74 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $91/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $1,092/year.

Median household income is $9,452/year higher in Louisville. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Louisville is $221,500 compared to $185,100 in St. Louis.

Kentucky has a lower income tax rate, making Louisville slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Louisville vs St. Louis — common questions

Is Louisville 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 Louisville and St. Louis?
Median rent in Louisville is $1,069/month and in St. Louis it's $978/month — a difference of $91/month.
Which city has higher income, Louisville or St. Louis?
Median household income is $64,731 in Louisville and $55,279 in St. Louis. Median household income is $9,452/year higher in Louisville.
How do taxes compare between Kentucky and Missouri?
Kentucky has 4.0% income tax, 6.0% 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 Louisville or St. Louis?
It depends on your priorities. Louisville has a cost index of 74 with median rent of $1,069/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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