Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Boise, ID (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Boise

Idaho
112

St. Louis is 41% cheaper than Boise.

$978/mo ↓ 28%
Median Rent
$1,359/mo ↑ 39%
$55,279/yr ↓ 32%
Median Income
$81,308/yr ↑ 47%
$185,100 ↓ 59%
Home Value
$456,000 ↑ 146%
$1,013/mo ↓ 24%
Owner Costs
$1,337/mo ↑ 32%
293,109
Population
235,701

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
5.8%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.63%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
20.1%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Boise, ID, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 112 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $381/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $4,572/year.

Median household income is $26,029/year higher in Boise. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $456,000 in Boise.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Boise — common questions

Is St. Louis or Boise cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 112 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Boise?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Boise it's $1,359/month — a difference of $381/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Boise?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $81,308 in Boise. Median household income is $26,029/year higher in Boise.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and Idaho?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. Idaho has 5.8% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.63% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Boise?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Boise has a cost index of 112 with rent of $1,359/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Boise details →

More Comparisons

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