Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Buffalo, NY (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Buffalo

New York
61

St. Louis is 8% more expensive than Buffalo.

$978/mo ↓ 1%
Median Rent
$989/mo ↑ 1%
$55,279/yr ↑ 15%
Median Income
$48,050/yr ↓ 13%
$185,100 ↑ 22%
Home Value
$152,300 ↓ 18%
$1,013/mo ↑ 9%
Owner Costs
$929/mo ↓ 8%
293,109
Population
276,397

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
10.9%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
4.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
1.62%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.7%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Buffalo, NY, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 61 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is comparable in both cities, with less than $50/month separating them.

Median household income is $7,229/year higher in St. Louis. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $152,300 in Buffalo.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Buffalo — common questions

Is St. Louis or Buffalo cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, Buffalo is cheaper to live in with an index of 61 compared to 66 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Buffalo?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Buffalo it's $989/month — a difference of $11/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Buffalo?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $48,050 in Buffalo. Median household income is $7,229/year higher in St. Louis.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and New York?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. New York has 10.9% income tax, 4.0% sales tax, and 1.62% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Buffalo?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Buffalo has a cost index of 61 with rent of $989/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Buffalo details →

More Comparisons

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