Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Charleston, SC (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Charleston

South Carolina
128

St. Louis is 48% cheaper than Charleston.

$978/mo ↓ 40%
Median Rent
$1,632/mo ↑ 67%
$55,279/yr ↓ 39%
Median Income
$90,038/yr ↑ 63%
$185,100 ↓ 61%
Home Value
$469,100 ↑ 153%
$1,013/mo ↓ 40%
Owner Costs
$1,688/mo ↑ 67%
293,109
Population
152,014

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
6.4%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
6.0%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.57%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
21.8%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Charleston, SC, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 128 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $654/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $7,848/year.

Median household income is $34,759/year higher in Charleston. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $469,100 in Charleston.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Charleston — common questions

Is St. Louis or Charleston cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 128 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Charleston?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Charleston it's $1,632/month — a difference of $654/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Charleston?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $90,038 in Charleston. Median household income is $34,759/year higher in Charleston.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and South Carolina?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. South Carolina has 6.4% income tax, 6.0% sales tax, and 0.57% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Charleston?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Charleston has a cost index of 128 with rent of $1,632/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Charleston details →

More Comparisons

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