Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Birmingham, AL (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Birmingham

Alabama
62

St. Louis is 6% more expensive than Birmingham.

$978/mo ↓ 7%
Median Rent
$1,047/mo ↑ 7%
$55,279/yr ↑ 25%
Median Income
$44,376/yr ↓ 20%
$185,100 ↑ 34%
Home Value
$138,600 ↓ 25%
$1,013/mo ↑ 2%
Owner Costs
$991/mo ↓ 2%
293,109
Population
199,322

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
5.0%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.41%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
28.3%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Birmingham, AL, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 62 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $69/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $828/year.

Median household income is $10,903/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $138,600 in Birmingham.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Birmingham — common questions

Is St. Louis or Birmingham cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Birmingham is cheaper to live in with an index of 62 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Birmingham?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Birmingham it's $1,047/month — a difference of $69/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Birmingham?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $44,376 in Birmingham. Median household income is $10,903/year higher in St. Louis.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Alabama?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Alabama has 5.0% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 0.41% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Birmingham?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Birmingham has a cost index of 62 with rent of $1,047/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Birmingham details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Birmingham

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