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

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Arlington

Virginia
203

St. Louis is 67% cheaper than Arlington.

$978/mo ↓ 57%
Median Rent
$2,275/mo ↑ 133%
$55,279/yr ↓ 61%
Median Income
$140,160/yr ↑ 154%
$185,100 ↓ 79%
Home Value
$864,800 ↑ 367%
$1,013/mo ↓ 58%
Owner Costs
$2,414/mo ↑ 138%
293,109
Population
235,463

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
19.5%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Arlington, VA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 203 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,297/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $15,564/year.

Median household income is $84,881/year higher in Arlington. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $864,800 in Arlington.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Arlington — common questions

Is St. Louis or Arlington cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 203 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Arlington?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Arlington it's $2,275/month — a difference of $1,297/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Arlington?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $140,160 in Arlington. Median household income is $84,881/year higher in Arlington.
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 Arlington?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Arlington has a cost index of 203 with rent of $2,275/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Arlington details →

More Comparisons

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