Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Alexandria, VA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Alexandria

Virginia
173

St. Louis is 62% cheaper than Alexandria.

$978/mo ↓ 52%
Median Rent
$2,031/mo ↑ 108%
$55,279/yr ↓ 51%
Median Income
$113,638/yr ↑ 106%
$185,100 ↓ 73%
Home Value
$696,800 ↑ 276%
$1,013/mo ↓ 53%
Owner Costs
$2,173/mo ↑ 115%
293,109
Population
156,788

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
5.75%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
5.3%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.4%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Alexandria, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 173 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,053/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $12,636/year.

Median household income is $58,359/year higher in Alexandria. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $696,800 in Alexandria.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Alexandria — common questions

Is St. Louis or Alexandria cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 173 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Alexandria?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Alexandria it's $2,031/month — a difference of $1,053/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Alexandria?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $113,638 in Alexandria. Median household income is $58,359/year higher in Alexandria.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Virginia?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Virginia has 5.75% income tax, 5.3% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Alexandria?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Alexandria has a cost index of 173 with rent of $2,031/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Alexandria details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Alexandria

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