Cost of Living: New York, NY vs St. Louis, MO (2026)

New York

New York
166
VS

St. Louis

Missouri
66

New York is 152% more expensive than St. Louis.

$1,779/mo ↑ 82%
Median Rent
$978/mo ↓ 45%
$79,713/yr ↑ 44%
Median Income
$55,279/yr ↓ 31%
$751,700 ↑ 306%
Home Value
$185,100 ↓ 75%
$1,837/mo ↑ 81%
Owner Costs
$1,013/mo ↓ 45%
8,516,202
Population
293,109

Tax Comparison

10.9%
Income Tax
4.95%
4.0%
State Sales Tax
4.225%
1.62%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

26.8%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing New York, NY and St. Louis, MO, the overall cost of living indices are 166 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $801/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $9,612/year.

Median household income is $24,434/year higher in New York. Home values also differ significantly — the median in New York is $751,700 compared to $185,100 in St. Louis.

Missouri has a lower income tax rate, making St. Louis slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

New York vs St. Louis — common questions

Is New York 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 166 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between New York and St. Louis?
Median rent in New York is $1,779/month and in St. Louis it's $978/month — a difference of $801/month.
Which city has higher income, New York or St. Louis?
Median household income is $79,713 in New York and $55,279 in St. Louis. Median household income is $24,434/year higher in New York.
How do taxes compare between New York and Missouri?
New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax. Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to New York or St. Louis?
It depends on your priorities. New York has a cost index of 166 with median rent of $1,779/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.
View New York details → View St. Louis details →

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