Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Cary, NC (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Cary

North Carolina
135

St. Louis is 51% cheaper than Cary.

$978/mo ↓ 40%
Median Rent
$1,621/mo ↑ 66%
$55,279/yr ↓ 57%
Median Income
$129,399/yr ↑ 134%
$185,100 ↓ 65%
Home Value
$525,200 ↑ 184%
$1,013/mo ↓ 42%
Owner Costs
$1,744/mo ↑ 72%
293,109
Population
176,686

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
4.5%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
4.75%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.8%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
15.0%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Cary, NC, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 135 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $643/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $7,716/year.

Median household income is $74,120/year higher in Cary. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $525,200 in Cary.

North Carolina has a lower income tax rate, making Cary slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Cary — common questions

Is St. Louis or Cary cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 135 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Cary?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Cary it's $1,621/month — a difference of $643/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Cary?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $129,399 in Cary. Median household income is $74,120/year higher in Cary.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and North Carolina?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. North Carolina has 4.5% income tax, 4.75% sales tax, and 0.8% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Cary?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Cary has a cost index of 135 with rent of $1,621/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Cary details →

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