Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Allentown, PA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Allentown

Pennsylvania
79

St. Louis is 16% cheaper than Allentown.

$978/mo ↓ 23%
Median Rent
$1,269/mo ↑ 30%
$55,279/yr ↑ 4%
Median Income
$53,403/yr ↓ 3%
$185,100 ↓ 2%
Home Value
$188,900 ↑ 2%
$1,013/mo ↓ 19%
Owner Costs
$1,243/mo ↑ 23%
293,109
Population
125,320

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
3.07%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.49%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Allentown, PA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 79 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $291/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $3,492/year.

Median household income is $1,876/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $188,900 in Allentown.

Pennsylvania has a lower income tax rate, making Allentown slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Allentown — common questions

Is St. Louis or Allentown cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 79 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Allentown?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Allentown it's $1,269/month — a difference of $291/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Allentown?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $53,403 in Allentown. Median household income is $1,876/year higher in St. Louis.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Pennsylvania?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Pennsylvania has 3.07% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 1.49% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Allentown?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Allentown has a cost index of 79 with rent of $1,269/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Allentown details →

More Comparisons

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