Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Bellevue, WA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Bellevue

Washington
250

St. Louis is 74% cheaper than Bellevue.

$978/mo ↓ 61%
Median Rent
$2,505/mo ↑ 156%
$55,279/yr ↓ 66%
Median Income
$161,300/yr ↑ 192%
$185,100 ↓ 85%
Home Value
$1,203,100 ↑ 550%
$1,013/mo ↓ 61%
Owner Costs
$2,586/mo ↑ 155%
293,109
Population
151,199

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.5%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.92%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
18.6%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Bellevue, WA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 250 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,527/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $18,324/year.

Median household income is $106,021/year higher in Bellevue. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $1,203,100 in Bellevue.

Washington has no state income tax, giving Bellevue residents a significant tax advantage over Missouri's 4.95% rate.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Bellevue — common questions

Is St. Louis or Bellevue cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 250 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Bellevue?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Bellevue it's $2,505/month — a difference of $1,527/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Bellevue?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $161,300 in Bellevue. Median household income is $106,021/year higher in Bellevue.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Washington?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Washington has 0% income tax, 6.5% sales tax, and 0.92% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Bellevue?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Bellevue has a cost index of 250 with rent of $2,505/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Bellevue details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Bellevue

St. Louis vs. Greensboro St. Louis vs. Lincoln St. Louis vs. Pittsburgh St. Louis vs. Jersey City St. Louis vs. Newark St. Louis vs. Anchorage Bellevue vs. Charleston Bellevue vs. Escondido Bellevue vs. Roseville Bellevue vs. Jackson Bellevue vs. Hollywood Bellevue vs. Joliet