Cost of Living: Omaha, NE vs St. Louis, MO (2026)

Omaha

Nebraska
80
VS

St. Louis

Missouri
66

Omaha is 21% more expensive than St. Louis.

$1,150/mo ↑ 18%
Median Rent
$978/mo ↓ 15%
$72,708/yr ↑ 32%
Median Income
$55,279/yr ↓ 24%
$230,100 ↑ 24%
Home Value
$185,100 ↓ 20%
$1,249/mo ↑ 23%
Owner Costs
$1,013/mo ↓ 19%
488,197
Population
293,109

Tax Comparison

6.64%
Income Tax
4.95%
5.5%
State Sales Tax
4.225%
1.73%
Property Tax
0.93%

Affordability

19.0%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.2%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing Omaha, NE and St. Louis, MO, the overall cost of living indices are 80 and 66 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $172/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $2,064/year.

Median household income is $17,429/year higher in Omaha. Home values also differ significantly — the median in Omaha is $230,100 compared to $185,100 in St. Louis.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Omaha vs St. Louis — common questions

Is Omaha 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 80 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between Omaha and St. Louis?
Median rent in Omaha is $1,150/month and in St. Louis it's $978/month — a difference of $172/month.
Which city has higher income, Omaha or St. Louis?
Median household income is $72,708 in Omaha and $55,279 in St. Louis. Median household income is $17,429/year higher in Omaha.
How do taxes compare between Nebraska and Missouri?
Nebraska has 6.64% income tax, 5.5% sales tax, and 1.73% property tax. Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax.
Should I move to Omaha or St. Louis?
It depends on your priorities. Omaha has a cost index of 80 with median rent of $1,150/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 Omaha details → View St. Louis details →

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